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a  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  '^> 


Presented  by  Mr.  Samuel  Agnew  of  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Agnciv  Coll.  on  Baptism,  No, 


./an 


)  1 


////// 


/ 


2/i' 


»  .j«y- 


/ 


CHURCH  OF  GOD 

DESCRIBED: 

THE 

QUALIFICATIONS  FOR  MEMBERSHIP 

STATED ; 
AND 

CHRISTIAN  FELLOWSHIP  ILLU^RATED  ; 

IN  TWO 


DISCOURSES. 


By  JOSEPH-'LJTHROP,  D.D. 

Miiiifler  of  a  Coiij^regatioial    Churdi,  in    If.  it-S;}rrn7fiel<{. 


THIRD  EDITION- 


CH.-.Ki.F.SToin:  : 
Printed  and   sorn   bv  S.  r.TIIERIDCF. 


1804. 


TH^\ 


l^^.: 


NATURE    AND  DJ^SJG'N 


OF    A 

CHR  IS  riAN  CHUR  CH. 


1  CoRiN.  i.  2. 


Unto  the  Church  of  God,  ivhich  is  at  Corinth  ;  to  them 
"who  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus^  called  to  be  saints, 
ivith  all  that  in  every  place  call  upon  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord^  both  theirs  and  ours* 

THAT  we  may  better  iinderfland  the  apoRIe'S- 
idea  of  a  church  of  God,. we  mufl  bear  in. 
mind  that  the  Corinthians,  before  the  gofpel  was 
preached  anions  them,  were  gentiles  carried  a'li) ay 
unto  dumb  idols,  even  as  they  vjere  led,  Tiiofe  of 
tliem  who  received  the  do6lrir\e  preached  by  the 
apoftles,  renounced  the  idolatrous  forms  and  places 
of  worfliip,  and  united  together  to  worfliip  God 
through  Jcfus  Chrift,  intlie  manner  which  the  gofpel 
prcfcribes.  These  are  called  a  church,  which  in  the 
original  language,  properly  fignifies  a  select  company ^ 
or  an  affembly  called  forth  from  tlie  reft  of  mankind  for 
fome  particular  purpofe,  more  efpecially  for  the  pur-^ 
pofe  of  religious  worlhip.  The  church  in  Corinth 
was  that  number  of  perfbns,  who  had  come  out  from, 
among  their  idolatrous  fellow  citizens  for  the  true- 
worfliip  of  God  in  Chriil^ 


(  4  ) 

Thz  apoftle  defcrlbes  them,  as  saiuufiedin  Christ 
Jesus ^  and  called  to  be  saints.     We  cannot  fuppofe, 
lliat  by  this  dcfcription  he  intended  to  reprefent  all 
the  members  of  the  Corinthian  church  to  be  gracious^ 
■godly  perfons  :  many  pafiages,  in  this  and  his  fecond 
cpillle  to  them,  import  that  he  thought  other^viie  ; 
but  tliefe  phrafes  rather  fignify,   that  they  had  beer^ 
called  out  of  the  world,  and  feparated  from  others,  that 
they  might  be  a  peculiar  people  to  God.     They  were 
called  to  be  holy.      The  words,  sanctified^  saint Sy 
and  hcly^  applied  to  bodies  of  men,  are  ufiially  to 
be  taken  in  the  fame  general  fenfe,  as  cbristianSj 
disciples y  and  brethren  ;  to  exprefs  their  visible  rela- 
tion and  professed  ch^ir^iEitY,    rather  than  a  certain 
judgment  concerning  their  habitual  temper.     The 
fabbath,  tl:ke  temple,  its  utenlils,  and  the  ground  on 
which  it  Hood,  are  called  holy^  and  faid  to  be  sancti- 
fied, becaufe  they  were  feparated  from  a  common  to 
a  facred  ufe.     The  nation  of  the  Jews,  in  which,  at 
its  bell  ftate,  were  great  numbers  of  ungodly  men,  is 
called  holy,  as  being  feparated  from  other  nations, 
for  the  fervice  of  the  true  God.     Mofes  fays.  Te  ar& 
a  holy  people  to  the  Lord,  a  peculiar  treasure,  a  king- 
dom of  priests.      So  the  chriftian  church  is  called  a 
chosen  generation,  a  royal  priesthood,  a  holy  nation^ 
a  peculiar  people.     The  word  saints,  in  many  places 
Hands  oppofcd,  not  to  unfound  Chrillians,  but  to  the 
heathen   world,   particularly  in  the  paflages  ^vhieh 
fpeak  of  perfccution  againft  the  saints,  of  minillcring 
to  the  saints,  and  of  diftributing  to  the  neccflities  of 
the  saints  ;  and  in  that  remarkable  paflage  which  de- 
nominates  the  children  of  a  beUever  holy,  in  diilinc- 
tion  from  the  children  of  the  unbelieving,  who  are 
called  umkan. 


(     5     ) 

The  ipollle  farther  ckfcribcs  the  Corinthian  church, 
as  cunliiliiig  of  thole  who  call  on  the  name  of  the 
Lord  yesus  Christ  ;  who  own  him  to  be  their  Lord 
and  Saviour,  profels  to  hope  forfalvationthrougli  him 
ojicl  worihip  God  in  his  name. 

He  dirt  els  his  epillle  to  all,  i-vho,  in  cDcry  place  ^  call 
on  the  name  of  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord^  both  theirs  and 
ours.  In  this  addreis,  he  iigaifies,  that  there  is  a  fit- 
crud  relation  lubilfting  among  all  Chrillians  in  every 
place,  and  that,  as  tliey  profcfs  fubje<Slion  to  one  com- 
mon  Lord,  fo  they  ought  to  maintain  commiinioa 
one  with  another. 

The  words  of  our  text  will  naturally  lead  us  to 
confidcr, 

L     The //jAv/'d'of  a  church  of  God. 

II.  Th  e  end  of  its  inftitution. 

III.  The  relation  which  children  bear  to  it. 

IV.  The  qu edifications  requifite  for  admillion  In- 
to  it.     And, 

V.  TRRfillovjship,  which  ought  to  fubfifl  among 
its  members. 

I.  We  are  to  conlider  the  nature  of  a  church  of 
God. 

Its  general  nature,  as  a  fele(5l  company,  called 
forth  from  the  world,  for  the  worfliip  and  llrvice  of 
God,  Me  have  already  dated  in  the  opening  of  our 
text.  Some  fiuther  iiluilrations,  however,  will  be 
nccefiary. 

Th  e  church  is  fometimes  dillinguifhed  into  the  in* 
I'/j/.i'/f  andthe  visible  church.  By  the  in^cisihle  church, 
is  intended  the  whole  number  of  real  iaints  in  all  pla- 
ccs  and  ages ;  the  whole .  fmiiily  in  Heaven  CHid 
carvh  J  thoic  ^vhom  Chriil  will  gather  together  in  o^e 
A 


C  6  ) 

body  in  Heaven .   This  is  that  m  o  u x  t  z  i  o  >3' ,  f  ii  e  c  i - 

TYOFTHE  LIVING  God,  THE  HEAVENLY  JERUSA- 
LEM, which  coniills  of  an  innumerable  compan}^  of 
angels,  the  fpirits  of  jull  men  made  perfe(5l,  and  the 
general  af fern Wy  and  church  of  the  firit  born,  wha 
were  enrolled  in  Heaven.  By  the  ^cisibk  church  are 
meant  all  thofe  who  have  been  villbly  dedicated  to 
God  in  Chrift,  and  have  not,  by  infidelity,  herefy,  or 
fcandal,  cut  themfelves  off  from  the  fociety  of  Chrif- 
tians  ;  or,  in  the  words  of  our  apoille,  all  who,  in 
eiierv  place^  call  on  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lcrd. 

The  vifible  church  is  again  diflinguiflied  into  the 
catholic  or  general  QhMXQk\^  and  into  local  ox  particular 
churclies.  The  word  is  often  ufed  to  denote  all  die 
professed  people  of  God  in  all  nations  and  ages.  In 
this  large  fenfe  it  is  to  be  underilood,  when  Chrift  is 
faidto  be  made  head  of  the  church,  and  the  church 
is  defcribed  as  fubje6l  to  him.  The  wliole  Je^\  ilh 
nation,  which  was  choftn  of  God,  to  be  a  peculiar 
people  to  himfelf,  is  called  the  church.  It  is  faid  of 
Pvlofcs,  he  ivas  in  the  church  in  the  mlclerjiess. 

When  this  people,  by  their  great  and  increafing^ 
corruption,  were  ripening  apace  for  deftruclion,  God 
fnt  his  own  Son,'  the  promifed  Redeemer  to  refcue 
ii'om  ruin  his  linking  church,  and  place  it  on  a  larger 
and  furer  eibbliihrnent.  By  his  teaching,  and  the 
r«^iniftry  of  his  apoilles,  wlio  ^vc  re  trained  up  under 
his  immediate  diicipUne,  a  confiderable  number  of 
fubjc6\swere  gained  over  to  his  kingdom,  while  he 
was  on  earth.  Jufl  before  his  afcenfion,  he  gave  thefe 
apoltles  a  commiflion  to  go  forth,  and  fprcad  Iiis 
doctrine,  and   colitd  fubjc<5\s  among  all  nations* 


(  T  ) 

ilis  cimrcli,  which  before  flood  on  the  foundation  of 
the  prophets,  now  (lands  on  the  foundation  of  tlic 
iiIK)llles  alfo,  h^  hin\fclf  hating  die  corner  Hone,  in 
which  both  parts  of  the  foundation  meet  and  are 
united.  The  churc]in\-as  formerly  hmitcdto  one 
nation,  but  now  it  is  indifcriminately  extended  to  all* 
In  the  city  of  Jeruialem  there  were  many,  who,  be» 
fore  the  defcent  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  confortcd  for  the 
worfliip  of  God  in  Chrift.  To  thefe  were  foon  added 
multitudes,  who  continued  in  t!ie  apollles'  doctrine 
and  fellowlhip,  and  in  breaking  of  bread  and  in 
prayers-  They  were  called  t/je  church.  After  the 
gofpel  was  fpread  to  fueh  an  extent,  that  it  was  nc 
longer  pollible  for  all  the  believers  to  attend  tlic 
^vorfhip  of  God  in  the  fame  place,  particular  relig- 
ious focietics,  in  divers  places,  were  formed  for  the 
convenience  of  wodhip,  each  of  which  had  the  name 
^of  a  church. 

These  focieties  of  ChriiliaRs,  united  indifferent 
•places  for  mutual  edification  in  the  joint  worfliip  of 
God,  arc  what  we  m.ean  by  particular  churches,  in  || 

diflindlion  from  the  catholic  or  unhersal  church,  *  ' 
Thus  the  Chrillians  in  Corinth,  tliofc  in  Galatia,  thole 
in  Ephtfus,  thofe  in  Theffalonica,  are  called  a  church. 
But  as  all  thefe  particular  churches  received  the  fam.e 
gofpel,  maintained  the  fame  form  of  worfliip,  and 
profefTed  fubjedlion  to  the  fame  Lord,  fo  they  are 
often  confidered  as  (7w^  church.    Though  v.  e  read  of  1 

many  churches,  yet  thefe  ate  only  fo  many  different  ' 

parts  of  the  fame  univerfal  churcl).  They  are  mem- 
bers of  the  fame  great  body,  apartments  of  the  fame 
houfe,  provinces  of  die  fame  empire.  With  regard 
to  their  feveral  jurifdi6lions  and  places  of  vyorfliip, 
they  are  diilin6\  \  but  yet  one  in  tiie  mainj  as  they  c^ 


(    8    ) 

on  the  fame  Jefus,  their  common  Saviour  and  Lord, 

As  there  was  in  the  apoflolic  times,  fo  there  is  now, 
ifreqiicnt  ocvcalion  for  new  churches  to  be  formed. 
But  from  the  preceding  oblervations,  it  appears,  that 
whenever  a  new  church  is  er^6led,  careful  regard 
fliould  be  had  to  her  communion  with  other  churches, 
as  well  as  to  the  communion  of  her  own  members 
among  themfelves  ;  otherwife  the  body  of  Chriil  is. 
divided,  and  the  bond  of  peace  is  broken. 

Among  the  members  of  every  particular  churchy 
there  is  always  fuppofed  to  be  a  folemn  covenant  and 
agreement  to  walk  together  in  the  commands  and 
ordinances  of  Chriil,  to  watch  over  one  another, 
in  meeknefs  and  love,  and  to  be  fellow-helpers  to  the 
kingdom  of  God..  The  church  in  Corinth  is  faid  to 
cemc  together  into  one  place.  The  church  in  Jeru- 
falem  is  cautioned  not  to  forsake  the  assembling  of 
themsehes  together ;  and  required,  to  exhort  one 
another^  and  to  consider  one  another,  that  they  may 
prowke  to  Ioi)e  and  to  good  works.  And  Chriflians  are 
are  enjoined  to  be  subject  one  to  another. 

The  covenant  between  the  members  of  a  partic- 
ular church,  to  walk  together  in  the  ordinances  of 
Chriil,  is  of  facred  obligation  ;  and  when  any  of  them 
have  cccafion  to  remove  to  another  church,  tliey 
ihould  do  it  in  a  manner  confiHent  with  Chrilliaa 
order,  peace  and  communion.  \M-ien  a  number  of 
Chriillans  unite  in  a  new  church,  ilill  they  muit  con- 
fider  themfelves  as  members  of  the  general  body,  and 
feek,  not  merely  their  own  profit  but  the  profit  of 
many. 

II.  The  ^;/r/ for  which  a  church  was  iuflituted, 
and  the puvpoft  for  w hich  vvc  are  called  into  it,  is ^^ hat 
we  propofed,  in  the  fecond  place,  to  confider* 


(    9    ) 

CFf  rist's  kingdom  is  not  of  this  work!.  As  the 
nature,  fo  the  dtli^ii  of  it  is  purely  fpiHtual  ;  it  is, 
tl\at  in  the  enjoyment  of  fuitable  means  we  may 
be  trained  up  in  knowledge  and  holincfs  ;  and  thus 
formed  to  a  meetnefi  for  future  glory. 

Iris  faid,  the  Lord  added  to  the  church  daihj  such 
ds  shoiddbe  sa^ucd.  This  is  not  to  be  underllood  as 
importing,  that  all  whojoined  themfelves  to  the  church 
were  finally  faved.  There  were  in  that,  as  there  are 
in  all  ages,  many  who  call  Cl^rift  their  Lord,  and  eat 
and  drmk  in  his  prefence,  but  ftili  are  workers  of 
iniquity.  But  they  are  called  the  savedy  becaufc  they 
are  admitted  to  the  offers  and  means  of  falvation.  In 
this  fenfe  alfo,  baptifm  is  faid  to  sa'ueu^  ;  not  as  con- 
veying an  immediate  right  to  falvation,  but  as  being 
the  appointed  way  of  introcki6\ion  into  the  vifible 
church,  where  the  means  of  falvation  are  afforded. 
In  the  lame  fenfe  we  are  to  underlland  thofe  pafTages, 
where  falvation  is  promifed  to  whole  families  on  the 
faith  of  the  head.  Not  that  his  faith  entitles  them  to 
eternal  life,  but  that  it  brings  them  into  the  vifiblc 
church,  and  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  means  of  fal- 
vation. Noahy  by  faith, prepared  an  ark  td^the  saV' 
ing  of  his  house;  the  like  figure  ivhereiinto^  every 
baptism  doth  noiv  save  us. 

As  without  holinefs,  none  can  be  admitted  into 
God's  heavenly  kingdom,  Christ  gave  himself  for 
the  church,  that  he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it  vjitb 
the  washing  of  water  by  the  word,  that  he  might  pre- 
sent it  to  himself  a  glorious  church ,  not  having  spot  or 
narinkle  or  any  such  thing  ;  but  that  it  should  be 
holy  and  without  blemish.  The  church,  in  our  text, 
is  defcribedj  as  coaliilinp:  of  thofe  v:ho  are  called  tQ  b<i. 


/. 


(    10    1 

holy.  Chriil  has  fet  in  his  church,  teachers  for  her 
edification,  that  roe  ??iig/jt  all  come  i?i  the  unity  of 
faith  and  k?iovoledge,  to  the  measure  of  the  stature  of 
thefidness  of  Christ ;  and  professing  the  truth  in  louey 
might  grow  up  into  him  i?i  all  things. 

Love  is  a  moil  important  branch  of  gofpel  holinefs. 
ChrifUafis  are  chosen  in  Christ,  that  they  might  be  holy 
and  imthout  blame  before  him  in  loiw  ;  and  might 
purify  their  souls  in  obeying  the  truths  through  the 
spirit,  unto  unfeigned  love  of  the  brethren.  Chrifl 
has,  therefore,  appointed  chat  his  difciplcs,  dwelling 
together  in  focial  connexion,  and  maintaining 
fellowfliip  in  religious  duties,  Ihould  increafe  and 
abound  in  love  one  toward  another,  and  to\vard  all 
men.  They  are  dire6led  to  forbear  one  another  in. 
loi^e,  and  keep  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of 
peace,  because  there  is  one  body,  or  church,  of  Vvhich 
they  are  all  members,  and  one  spirit,  one  Lord,  one 
faith,  cmd  one  baptism.  In  order  to  their  enjoying 
the  grace  of  God,  for  their  increafe  and  ttlification,. 
they  muft,  like  the  parts  of  a  building,  h^  fitly  fram- 
ed into  each  other,  and  be  budded  together  for  an  hab- 
itation of  God  through  the  spirit. 

Having  illuftrated  the  nature  and  defign  of  a 
church  of  God,  we  \villnow  attend  to  the  nextpro- 
pofed  inquiry. 

III.   What  relation  children  bear  to  tlie  church  ?. 

This  will  be  neceffiry,  previoufly  to  our  ilaling 
the  qualifications  of  aclult  profelytcs. 

When  firft  the  apoftles  went  forth  to  preach  the 
gofpel,  and  ere6l  churches  in  the  world,,  mankind  in 
general  were  in  '<\i{wiQ  oi heathenism,  or  Judaism  ; 
and,  cither  had  not  heard  of  the  gofpel,.  or  did  not 


C   11   ) 

believe  it  to  be  diTinc.  From  amopg'theft-V^yefb 
they  to  make  profehtes  to  ChrilViai'Iit^''.-,^  'v>  '4^ 
What  they  required  of  the  profclytos^'khorfifthey 
admitted  into  the  churcii  of  God,  was  a  itK)R:filrd  be- 
lief that  Jefus  was  the  Ciirift,  the  Son  of  GocH'-w^his 
profeflion  of  faith  in  Chriftncccllarily  imphcda  prom- 
ife  of  obedience  to  him. 

Now  as  the  apoflles  admitted  adult  profelytcs  into 
the  church  by  baptifm,  fo  there  is  fdfRcient  ground  to 
believe,  that  they  admitted  to  thii>  ordinance  the  chil- 
dren of  profelytes,  in  token  of  God's  merciful  regard 
to  them,  and  of  their  parents'  obligation  to  bring  them 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  In 
this  general  fenfe,  the  baptifed  offspring  of  believers 
are  widiindie  church  ;  having  God's  covenant  feal 
upon  them,  and  being  under  die  care  of  thofe  who 
have  covenanted  to  bring  them  up  for  him. 

As  many  as  are  comprehended  within  God's  cove- 
nant, and  are  the  fubje6ls  of  its  gracious  promifes, 
undeniably  belong  to  the  church  ;  for  this  is  founded 
on  the  covenant.  That  the  children  of  profcflld  be- 
lievers" are  within  the  covenant,  is  evident  from  paf- 
fages  offcripture,  too  numerous  to  be  here  particular- 
ly recited.  The  promife  to  Abraham  was  made 
alfo  to  his  infant  feed,  who  were  to  recieve  the  feal 
and  token  of  the  promife,  as  well  as  he  ;  and  as 
many  as  received  it  not,  were  faid  to  liave  broken 
God's  covenant ;  and  thefe  were  to  Ix!  cut  off,  or 
excluded  from  among  their  peoi^le.  Had  they  not 
been  within  the  covenant,  and  among  the  people  of 
God,  thriir  want  oftlie  feal  could  not  liave  been  a 
breach  of  the  covenant,  or  an  c  xclufion  from  the  peo- 
ple. Mofes  fays  to  the  congregation  oflfrael,  21? 
stand  all  of  you  before  ihe  Lord  your  God;  all  the 


C     12    ) 

inen  of  Israel,  your  link  ones  and  your  ivhes  ;  that 
thou  shouldst  enter  into  co'uenant  ivitb  the  Lord  tbij 
■God,  that  he  may  establish  thee  for  a  people  to  himself^ 
^s  he  hath  sworn  to  Abraham.     Exprefs  promifes  are 
made  to  chikiren,  as  the  feed  of  thofe  who  are  in  cov- 
enant,   particularly  the  promife  of  God*s  word,  and 
of  his  fpirit.     God  established  a  testimony  in  Jacobs  ; 
*vohich  he,  commanded  the  fathers,  that  they  should 
make  it  known  to  their  children,  that  the  generation 
to  come   might  also    know  it.       Circumcision    has 
much  the  advatitage  every  way,  chiefly  because  to 
them  are  committed  the  oracles  of  God.     To  Jacob  his 
.sen}a?it,  and  to  Israel  his  chosen,  God  promifes,  / 
will  pour  my  spirit  on  thy  seed,  and  my  Messing  on 
thine  offspring,  and  they  shall  spring  up  as  among 
the  grass,  and  as  willows  by  the  water  courses.  This 
is  God's  covenant  with  them  who  turn  from  tranfgref- 
fion  in  Jacob.     My  spirit  which  is  upon  thee,  and  my 
words  which  I  haue  put  in  thy  mouth,  shall  not  depart 
out  of  thy  mouth,  nor  out  of  the  mouth  of  thy  seed.     In- 
fants are  called  the  children  of  the  church  ;  and  the 
gentiles  are  dtfcribed  in  propliecy,  as  coming  to  the 
church  with  their  children  in  their  arms,     ylll  these  \ 
gather  themselves  together  and  come  to  thcc  ;  to  Zion, 
God's  church,  they  shall  bring  thy  sons  in  their  arms, 
and  thy  daughters  shall  he  carried  on  their  shoulders,  I 
The  children  of  thofe  who  are  in  covenant,  arcdiftin- 
guiflied  fjom  others  as  God's  children,  born  unto 
him.     God  fays  to  liis  ancient  cliurch,  I  entered  into 
covenant  with  thee,  and  thou  bccamest  mine  ;  but  thoui 
hast  taken  thy  sons  and  thy  daughters,  which  thou 
hast  born  unto  me,  and  hast  sacrificed  them  :  thou 
hast  slam  my  children.     It  is  foretold,  that  in  the  time 
of  tlie  church's  profpcrity,  the  people  shall  not  labour 


(    13    ) 

w  ihiin,  nor  bring  forth  for  trouble,  for  they  arc  the 
seed  of  the  blessed  of  the  Lor d^  and  their  offspring 
"iviththetn.  The  Redeemer  is  deleribecl  by  liiiiah,  as 
one  'ivho  shall  feed  his  fock  like  a  shepherd^  and  shall 
gatJjcr  the  lambs  with  his  arms,  and  carry  them  in 
his  bosom.  WIkmi  he  appeared  on  earth,  he  com- 
manded that  children  ihould  be  brought  to  him  : 
thole  \vh^)  were  brought,  he  took  into  his  arms,  and 
l^leiTed,  declaring  them  fubjc6\s  of  his  kingdom. 
But  in  what  fenfc  are  thcyfuch,  if  they  belong  not 
to  his  church,  but  to  the  kingdom  of  Satan  ?  When 
Chrill  inllituted  the  ordinance  of  baptifm,  he  pointed 
out  the  fubje6\s  of  it  in  fuch  general  terms,  as  might 
naturally  be  fuppofed  to  include  children  ;  and  his 
apofllcs,  who  knew  how  he  had ^\er  treated  children, 
>vho  had  heard  his  directions  concerning  them,  and 
who  could  not  be  ignorant,  that,  under  former  difpen- 
fations  of  the  covenant,  children  \\'ere  comprehended 
with  their  parents,  mult  underliand  them  to  be  in- 
cluded in  this  inflruxStion,  disciple  all  7iaiio?is,  bap- 
tizing the?n.  Accordingly,  in  the  iirft  inftance  of 
their  adminiflering  baptifm,  after  this  commifiion, 
they  placed  the  reafon  of  it,  and  the  right  to  it,  on  a 
bafis  w^hich  alike  fupports  the  baptifm  of  believers, 
and  of  their  children.  Repent  and  be  baptized  for 
the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive  the  gift  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  for  the  promise  is  to  you  and  to  your 
■children.  They  confidered  the  children  of  believers 
as  holy,  in  diflinction  from  the  children  of  unbelievers. 
And  it  appears  to  have  been  their  praiSlicc,  when 
they  baptized  a  believing  houfeholder,  to  baptize 
alfo  his  houfchold  ;  tliofe  \\\\o  were  his,  and  under 
his  government.  And  it  is  obfervable,  that  among 
all  tlie  inflances  of  baptifm,  n^eutioned  in  the  New 


K    14    ) 

Teflament,  we  find  not  one  baptized  at  adult  age, 
\vho  appears  to  have  been  born  of  Chriftian  parents  ; 
hut  they  were  all  profelytes  fromjudaifm,  or  from 
heathenif  m . 

Our  Englidi  word  church,  fignifies  the  houfe,  or 
family  of  the  Lord.  It  is  a  well  chofen  word  ;  for  the 
church  is  often  c^Mt^^^.  family  ov  household.  But  who 
needs  to  be  told,  that  children  are  members  of  the  fam. 
ily  in  which  they  are  born  ?  It  is  often  called  a  city,  a 
fiation,  2i people.  But  who  ever  imagined  that  thefe 
terms  excluded  children  ?  If  a  city  is  incorporated  arc 
not  children  members  of  the  corporation,  as  well  as 
their  parents?  If  a  privilege  is  granted  to  apeople,  do 
not  children  become  intitled  to  it.  If  a  form  of  gov- 
ernment is  fettled  in  a  nation,  do  not  children  come 
under  the  form. 

You  will  alk,  how  can  children  be  brought  within 
the  church  without  their  own  coi^ent  ?  But  as  well 
may  you  alk.,  how  fhould  they  be  born  under  the  gof- 
pcl ;  or  how  fliould  they  be  created  rational  beings, 
ivithout  their  own  confent  ?  If  it  is  a  privilege  to  enjoy 
the  example,  inftru6lion  and  prayers  of  good  men, 
and  to  be  placed  under  the  care  of  thofe  who  are  fol- 
emnly  bound  to  give  them  a  pious  education,  then  it 
is  a  privilege  to  be  born  within  the  church,  and  to 
receive  in  childhood  the  feal  of  the  covenant. 
And  will  any  complain,  that  God  bcftows  on  them 
mercies,  before  they  had  confentcd  to  take  them  ? 

Certain  religious  duties  are  incumbent  on  chil- 
dren, as  foon  as  they  arrive  to  a  natural  capacity  to 
perform  them.  But  has  not  God  a  right  to  enjoin 
fuch  duties  as  his  wifdom  fees  fit  ?  MufI:  he  confult 
his  creatures  to  know  what  laws  he  may  make  for 
them  ?  Was  not  the  covenant  in  tlie  plains  of  Moab 
made  with  little  ones,  as  well  as  ^^  ith  the  men  of  If- 


(  15  ) 

rati  ?  \\'ith  thofe  who  are  not,  as  well  as  with  thoic 
who  were  then  prcfcnt  ?  Arc  there  not  moral  obliga- 
tions ^\•hich  rcliilt  Irom  our  rational  nature,  and  from 
our  place  in  the  creation,  as  well  as  from  our  fpecial 
covenant  relation  to  God  ?  Shall  we  conclude  that  all 
thele  obligations  are  void,  for  want  of  our  previous 
confcnt  ?  To  the  validity  of  contrails  between  man 
and  man,  who  ftand  on  the  foot  of  equality,  mutual 
confcnt  is  neceffary  :  But  God  is  a  fovcrcign,  and 
*  his  covenant  he  commands  us.'  When  he  prom- 
ifes  us  bleflings,  and  enjoins  duties  as  conditions  of 
the  blcffings,  he  ftates  to  us  the  tenor  of  his  covenant, 
and,  by  his  fupreme  authority,  brings  us  under  the 
obligations  of  it,  whether  we  have  eonfentcd  to  it,, 
or  not. 

Now  if  the  children  of  believers  r.re  under  the 
covenant,  and  v^  ithin  the  church  of  God,  they  cuglit 
to  receive  the  feal  and  token  of  their  relation  to  him  ; 
to  be  taught,  as  foon  as  they  are  able  to  underfland, 
the  nature  of  religion  ;  and  to  be  confidered,  when 
they  come  forward  in  life,  as  under  the  watch  of  the 
church.  T^icy  fhould  be  nurfed  at  her  fide  ;  and^ 
"when  they  have  competency  of  knowledge,  fliouldbe 
invited  to  her  a6\iial  communion.  If  they  behave  in 
a  manner  unworthy  of  their  relation,  they  fliculd  be 
treated  with,  and  exhorted  to  repentance.  If  they 
prove  contumacious  and  incorrigible,  they  are,  after 
due  patience,  to  be  cut  off  from  their  people.  Such 
appears  to  be  the  ftate  of  children. 

IV.  We  proceed  to  inquire,  A\hat  qualifications  are 
requifite  for  the  admiflicn  of  aduhs  into  the  church, 
and  for  their  enjoyment  of  all  gcfpel  orelinances  ? 

The  quellicn  is  twofold  :  First,  What  a  church 
©ught  to  require  of  thofc  whom  Ihe  admits  to  her 


C     16    ) 

communion  ?  And,  Secondly,  What  qualifications  a 
perfon  muft  find  in  himfclf  to  juflifj-  his  coming  to  the 
communion  ? 

The  firft  queflion  is,  What  a  church  ought  to  re- 
quire  of  thofe  whom  Ihe  admits  to  her  communion  ? 

The  anfwer  in  general  is,  She  is  to  require  the 
fame  as  the  apoflles  required. 

Those  whom  the  apoflles  admitted  to  fellowfhip 
with  them  in  breaking  of  bread,  and  in  prayer,  being 
flrfl  in(lru8:ed  in  tlie  docSlrines  and  evidences  of 
Chriftianity,  profcfTed  to  believe,  that  this  was  a  di- 
vine religion. 

The  Jews,  who  were  baptized  on  the  day  ofpente- 
colt,  gladly  received  the  word  of  the  gofpel.  The 
eunuch,  who  was  baptized  by  Philip,  declared  his 
belief,  that  Jefus  was  the  Son  of  God.  The  heart  of 
Lydia  was  opened  to  attend  to  the  do6\rine  of  Paul ; 
and  (he  was  judged  faithful  to  the  Lord.  The  jailor 
is  faid  to  have  believed  in  God.  When  the  people  of 
Samaria  believed  Philip,  preaching  the  things  con- 
cerning the  kingdom  of  God,  they  were  baptized^ 
both  men  and  women. 

The  churches  were  enjoined  to  put  away  from 
among  them  thofe  wicked  perfons  who  would  not  be 
reclaimed.  We  may,  therefore,  conclude,  that  fueh 
were  not  received  without  a  profeffion  of  repentance. 

A  Christian  church  is,  then,  to  require  of  thoib» 
whom  fhe  admits  to  her  communion,  thcfe  three 
things  ;  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  cflential  doc- 
trines and  precepts  of  religion  ;  a  profefTed  belief  of, 
and  fubje6lion  to  them  ;  and  a  blamelefs  converfation  ; 
or,  where  this  had  been  wanting,  a  profcfTion  of  re-, 
pentance.     Th^fc  tilings  are,  in  the  nature  of  the 


(     17    ) 

wCe,  ncccfTary ;  for  it  is  palpably  abfurd  for  a  man  to* 
join  himrelfto  a  Chriflian  church,  and  attend  upon  its 
ordinances,  unlefs  he  iinderllands  die  nature,  and 
believes  the  tmth  of  that  religion  on  which  it  is  found- 
ed ;  and  has  fuch  a  fenfe  of  its  importance,  ai*  to  re- 
foh e  that  he  will  be  governed  by  it.  And  every  per- 
ion  of  competent  knowledge,  a  good  profeilion,  and  a 
correfpondent  life,  has  a  right,  in  the  view  of  the 
church,  to  the  enjoyment  of  gofpel  ordinances,, 
whenever  he  claims  it. 

Whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of  a  church,  con^ 
cerning  the  neceifity  of  faving  grace  to  qualify  one,  in 
the  fight  of  God,  for  Chriflian  communion,  flie  can- 
not juflly  exclude  the  perfon  we  have  defcribecj  ;  be- 
caufe  a  good  proftiTion,  and  a  converfation  agreeable 
to  it,  is  all  the  evidence  which  flie  can  have  in  his  fa- 
vor. She  can  judge  the  heart  only  by  vifible  fruits. 
The  controverfy  concerning  the  nectfRty  of  internal 
holinefs,  in  the  prefent  cafe,  can  have  no  reference  to 
the  real  practice  of  the  church,  in  admitting  members ; 
for  whether  flie  judge  s  this  to  be  a  neccfTary  qualifica- 
tion or  not,  flill  ilie  mufl  condu^l  in  the  Lme  manner, 
and  admit  the  fame  perfons.  Namely,  thofe,  and 
only  thofe,  who  have  fuflicient  knowledge  of  die  gof- 
pel, profefs  a  belief  of,  and  fubjc^ionto  the  gcfpel, 
and  contradi6l  not  that  proftfTion  by  an  ungodly  con-^ 
verfation.  She  may,  perhaps,  think  proper  to  require 
of  her  members  a  particular  relation  of  their  Chriflian 
experiences.  But  be  this  relation  ever  fo  full,  flill  it 
is  but  the  evidence  of  words — of  a  good  profeffion. 
The  real  fmccrity  of  the  heart,  after  all,  is  known  only 
to  him,  w  ho  feeth  not  as  mian  feeth. 

A  CHURCH  has  no  right,  en  mere  jcclausy^  to  e-*-- 
B2 


C  18  y 

dude  from  her  communion  an>;  one  who  ofiers  him- 
lelf.  She  muft  iirft  make  it  appear,  that  he  is,  by  igno^ 
ranee,  hcrefy  or  wickcdnefs,  difqualilied  for  commun- 
ion. It  is  not  incumbent  on  him  to  demonftrate  his 
inward  grace  ;  but  on  tlie  church  to  prove  his  want 
of  it.  The  burden  of  proof,  in  this  cafe,  lies  wholly 
on  the  church  ;  not  on  the  claimant.  If  one  claims 
privileges,  the  church  is  not  to  rejetrVhim,  in  a  fover- 
eign,  arbitrary  manner,  of  her  own.  will,  without  of- 
fering reafons  :  She  is  eidier  to  admit  him,  or  fliew 
caufe  why  flie  refufes.  If  flie  fliall  convi6l  him  of 
any  difqualification,  flill  fhe  is  not  to  treat  him  as  an 
enemy,  but  admoniOi  him  as  a  brother  :  She  is  not 
to  abandon  him  at  once;  but  labour  for  his  amend- 
ment. To  reject  claimants,  in  any  other  way,  than 
by  convi^ion  on  fair  and  open  trial,  is  to  ftt  up  a  ty. 
ranny  in  the  church,  which  Chrifl  has  no  where  war- 
ranted. It  is  to  fubvert  that  liberty  with  which  Chriil 
has  made  us  free.  The  church  ought  to  caution  all 
againil  hypocrify  and  diflimulation  in  their  approaches 
to  divine  ordinances  ;  but  Ihe  is  not  to  affume  the 
judgment  of  men's  hearts,  ralhly  intruding  into 
things,  which  fhe  has  notfcen,  and  which  belong  only 
to  God. 

We  are  to  aim  at  perfe(5\ion,  both  as  private  chrif!- 
ians,  and  as  churches.  But  we  are  to  purfue  this 
aim  in  a  fcriptural  way  ;  not  by  ufurping  God's  prero- 
gative, or  by  excluding  from  our  charily  and  fciiovv- 
Ihip,  all  who  hope  humbly  and  fpcak  modefll^' ;  all 
who  cannot  give  the  higheil  proof  of  their  godly  fin- 
cerity  ;  but  by  clcanling  ourselves  from  ail  fiUhineis 
of  the  flefli  and  fpirit,  and  by  confidering  one  another 
10  provoke  unto  love  and  gogd  works. 


(   ^:> 

After  all,  tlierc  will  be  bad,  as  well  as  gocxl,  in 
Chrldian  Ibcictks.  The  h'lngdom  of  Harjcn  is  like  a 
i\ct  cast  into  tic  sea,  which  gaihcral  of  c^ocry  kind  ; 
and  %v  hen  it  was  full,  they  drew  it  to  shore,  and  gath- 
ered the  good  into  'vessels  and  cast  the  bad  away,  Sv 
shall  it  be  in  the  endoftJic  ivorUl ;  then  the  wicked  shall 
be  sci:ered from  among  tlie  jwit. 

Having  (hewn  what  a  church  is  to  require  of  thofe 
whom  (he  admits  to  her  communion,  we  proceed  to 
the  fccond  quellion. 

What  qualifications  a  perfon  mufl  find  in  himfcif 
to  jullify  l\iin  in  entering  into  the  church,  and  attencU 
ins  on  all  gofpel  orrlinances  ? 

That  we  may  bring  this  queflion  within  a  narrow 
coTnpr.fs,  and  reduce  it  to  a  fmgle  point,  it  will  be 
neceflary  to  remove  fome  things,  which  have  often 
been  blended  with  it,  and  occafioncd  much  confufion 
in  thinking  and  arguing  upon  it. 

I.  The  queflion  is  not,  Whether  every  perfon  ed- 
ucated under  tlie  gofpel,  \s  in  duty  bound  to  attend 
on  all  divine  ordinances  in  Ibme  Chriftian  church  ? 
For  this  is  univL^rfi-.lly  granted. 

Relic if>jj,  in  all  its  branches,  is  indifpenfibly  cn^ 
joined  on  all  men.  Chrill  calls  all  men  to  be  his  dif> 
ciples,  to  profcfs  'hemfchLS  fuch,  and  to  a6l  accord- 
ingly, on  pain  of  final  rtjc6\ion  from  his  prcfencc. 
No  man  can  free  himfelf  from  his  obligation  to  enter 
into  the  church,  any  moie  than  he  can  free  himfelf 
from  his  obligation  to  prayer,  or  any  other  duty.  His 
wickednefs  may  be  a  bar  in  the  way  of  his  admiffion  ; 
but  it  cannot  l>e  an  excufc  for  In's  voluntary  negki^l. 
It  is  abfiird  to  fr.f  pofc,  that  one's  fins  fhould  vacate 
his  obligations  to  obedience.  They  who  apprehend 
that  they  have  no  right  to  tlie  communion  of  faints, 
ought  by  no  nieims,  to  make  thcmfclvcs  eafy  in  thi 


C    20    ) 

toe.  The  command  Hill  extends  to  them  •  and 
their  immediate  concern  fhould  be,  to  repent  of  that 
fmfulnefs,  which  obftrucls  their  compliance  with  it. 

2.  The  queftion  is  not,  whether  one  ought  to  come 
to  the  conmiunion  in  an  impcnitc?it^  unconverted ^^^it ; 
for  no  man  is  allowed  to  continue  in  fuch  a  (late. 
The  fcripture  never  propofes,  or  anfwers  this  queft- 
ion, whether  a  man  may  attend  on  this,  or  that  ordi- 
nance, while  he  remains  impenitent  in  his  fms  ?  be- 
caufe  it  grants  no  man  permiilion  to  remain  fo  ;  but 
commands  all  men,  every  where,  to  rtpent.  It  re- 
quires them  to  perform  every  duty  in  a  pious  and  ho- 
ly manner.  It  allows  no  ncgle6l  of,  or  hypocrify  and 
formality  in  duty.  The  man,  w  ho  calls  himfelf  a  fin- 
ner,  is  not  to  imagine,  that  the  fame  duties,  or  the 
ikme  tempers,  are  not  required  of  him,  as  of  others  ; 
for  all  are  required  to  be  holy  in  all  manner  of  conver- 
fation,  and  to  be  deeply  humble  for  all  the  corrup- 
tions of  their  heart,  and  errors  of  their  life.     But, 

3.  It  will  be  faid,  though  no  man  ought  to  remain 
in  a  fmful  Hate,  yet  there  are  many  w^ho  know  them- 
felves  to  be  in  fuch  a  ftate  ;  many  w  ho  evidently  find, 
that  they  have  no  governing  regard  to  God  and  his 
commands,  but  are  under  the  prevaihug  love  of  fin 
and  the  world :  Now%  ought  they,  while  they  per- 
ceive themfelves  to  be  in  this  ftate,  to  come  into  the 
church  and  attend  on  the  holy  communion  ? 

If  any  afk  this  quefiion,  my  anfwer  is,  it  is  a  quef- 
tion in  which  no  body  is  concerned.  It  cannot  poffi- 
bly  be  a  cafe  of  confcience  with  any  man.  The  per- 
fon  here  fiippofed  is  one,  whokno\^s  himfdf  to  be  an 
habitual  finner  ;  one  w  ho  has  no  governing  regard  to 
his  duty ;  but  is  prevnilingly  b^nt  to  wickedne fs ;  and, 
therefore,  he  cannot  be  fuppofed  to  have  any  confei". 


C    21    ) 

f  ntioiis  folicitude  about  his  duty  in  this  matter.     It 
is  abfurd  to  imagine,  he  flioukl  be  folicitous  to  know 
and  do  his  ckity  here,  and  yet  have  wo  regard  to  it  in 
any  tiling  c He.     Ifinodier  external  acls  of  duty  he 
is  influenced  by  unworthy  motives,  the  Cme  un\\or- 
thy  motives,  and  not  a  regard  to  the  v/ill  of  God, 
would  influence  him  in  cominc,-  into  the  church.   The 
qucftion  is  merely  a  matter  olTpecnlation  ;  it  concerns 
no  man's  practice.     One,  who  lives  regarcilefs  of  the 
will  of  God  in  general,  isjuft  asregardlefs  of  it  in  the 
Ciife  undc  r  confide  rat  ion.      He  does  not  willi  to  be 
in{lru6\ed  in  the  matter,  that  he  may  conform  to  the 
di\'\ne  will  :  if  he  did,  he  would  be  as  careful  to  con- 
form to  it  in  things  which  are  already  plain.      Tlie 
fcripture  puts  no  fuch  cafe,  for  it  is  not  a  fuppofaWe 
cafe,  that  a  man,  whofe  heart  is  fet  in  him  to  do  evil, 
fliould  have  any  confcientious  fcruples  in  this  point, 
or  any  other.     The  proper  anfwer  to  fuc^an  inquirer 
will  be,  you  are  in  a  moll  awful  flate,  under  the  pow- 
er and  guilt  of  fin.     So  long  as  you  live  in  fubjeclion 
to  the  flefli,  you  cannot  pleafe  God.     You  are  ex- 
pofed  to  everlalling  condemnation.      Repent,  there- 
fore, of  your  wickednefs,  feek  God's  forgivenefs,  and 
henceforward  walk  in  all  his  commandments  and  or- 
dinances blamekfs. 

4.  The  only  queftion  which  can  be  a  cafe  of  con- 
fcience,  and  which  it  concerns  us  to  anfu  er,  is  this  ; 
what  a  serious  perfon  ought  to  do,  who  is  in  doubt 
concerning  his  fpiritual  (late  ^ 

He  believes  the  gofpel  to  be  divine,  has  fome  fenfe 
of  its  importance,  and  feels  a  concern  to  obtain  the 
falvation  which  it  brings.  It  is  his  dcfiretoknon% 
and  his  purpofe  to  do,  the  will  of  God.  But  flill 
he  finds  fo  many  corruptions  in  his  lieart,  and  dtvia- 


C    22    ) 

tions  from  duty  in  his  pra6lice,  that  he  dares  not  cofi» 
chide  himfelf  in  a  ftate  of  grace.  If  he  has  hopes, 
they  are  mingled  with  painful  fears.  Now  ought 
fucli  a  perfon  to  come  within  the  church,  and  partici- 
pate in  all  divine  ordinances  ?  Or  is  he  to  delay  till 
his  fears  are  difpelled  ? 

This  is  the  real  ilate  of  the  quefiion  ;  and  can  any 
hefitate  what  anfwer  to  give  ? 

We  have  before  fhewn,  that  the  purpofe  for  which 
men  are  called  into  a  church  ilate  is  that,  in  the  en- 
joyment of  fuitable  means,  they  may  be  trained  np  in 
knowledge  and  holinefs,  to  a  preparation  for  fvjture 
glorj\  And  if  we  have  the  fame  end  in  attending  on 
ordinances,  as  God  had  in  inftitnting  them,  it  cannot 
be  doubted  but  VvC  are  qualified  for  the  enjoyment  of 
them.  Ifthenwecan  fay,  cur  end  in  coming  to  the 
Gcmmunion  is,  that  we  may  conform  to  God's  \\  ill, 
may  be  in  Ae  Vv^ay  of  his  blelTmg,  and  m.ay  be  dirccled 
and  quickened  in  his  fervice,  we  are  undoubtedly 
\^arrantcd  to  approach  it. 

For  a  perfon  to  judge  whether  he  may  come  to  the 
communion,  the  qucltion  rather  is,  what  are  Jiis 
prefent  views,  defiresand  purpofes  ;  than  what  is  the 
habitual  ftatc  of  his  foul  ?  The  former  may  be  known 
by  immediate  inward  reflexion  :  the  latter  is  to  be 
difcovered  only  by  a  courfe  of  examination  and  ex- 
perience. 

Let  us  now  attend  to  the  praftice  of  the  apoftles. 

The  Jew  s,  who  aficmbk  d  at  the  temple  on  the  day 
ef  pentecoft,  to  celebrate  that  ftHival,  beheld  with  in- 
dignation, and  treated  with  mockery,  the  miraculous 
gifts  of  the  fpirit,  then  befto wed  on  the  difciples  of 
leCjs,  in  confirmation  of  his  divine  authority.    Peter, 


(    23    ) 

on  ihisoccafion,  rofe  up,  and,  in  a  pertinent  difcourfe, 
laid  before  them  lueh  linking;  evidence  of  Jelus  being 
the  proiiiifed  Mcfiiah,  ihat  thoufands  were  convinced 
of  their  great  guilt  in  rejecling  and  crucifying  the 
Lord  of  glory,  and  anxioully  inquired  what  they  miiit 
do  ?  Being  told,  tliat  they  muft  repent  and  be  baptiz- 
ed for  the  remiillon  of  lins,  they  gladly  received  the 
word,  and  were  baptized,  and  admitted  to  die  apoille's 
fullowlliip.  It  is  the  do6\rine  of  this  fame  Peter,  that 
believers  muft  make  their  calling  and  ele6lion  fure, 
by  adding  to  their  faith  virtue,  and  to  virtue  knowl- 
edge, and  every  other  grace.  But  does  Peter  tell 
tl"iefe  new  converts,  that,  becaufe  diey  had  not  had 
time  thus  to  prove  the  fmcerity  of  their  converfion,  it 
\\'as  not  fafe  to  receive  baptifm,  and  enter  into  the 
church  ?  Does  he  advife  them  to  wait  a  while  till  they 
could  manifefl  the  reality  of  their  repentance  by  its 
fruits  ?  No,  he  admits  them  to  fellowlhip  immediate- 
]y  ;  but  with  diis  important  caution,  save  yourschcs 
from  this  untoivard  generation. 

In  the  fame  manner  the  apoitles  condu6led  in  the 
baptifm  of  Cornelius,  the  people  of  Samaria,  the  Tay- 
lor, Lydia,  and  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch. 

Had  they  confidered  aflurance,  as  a  qualification 
neceflary  to  juilify  perfons  in  coming  into  the  church, 
would  they  not,  on  thefe  occafions,  have  cautioned 
their  profelytes  againft  receiving  baptifm  immediate- 
ly ?  Would  diey  not  have  advifed  them  to  a  greater 
trial  of  tiiemfelvcs  than  could  have  been  made  in  a 
few  hours  ? 

It  caruiot  be  pretended,  that  thefe  profelytes  had  a 
certain  knowledge  of  their  own  fniceritj'.  Much  lefs 
can  it  be  fuppofed,  that  the  apoftks  knew  them  to  be 
fcimd  converts.    They  knew  men's  hearts  no  other- 


C    24    ) 

Wife,  than  we  may  know  them,  b}'  view  of  what  ap- 
pears in  their  Hves.  They  could  only,  hence,  form  a 
rational  judgment,  a  charitable  prcfumption.  The 
difciples  at  Jerufalcm  believed  not  Paul  to  be  a  difci- 
ple,  nor  did  even  the  apoilles  venture  to  receive  him 
as  fuch,  till  they  had  evidence  from  the  teflimony  of 
Barnabas^  Yea,  we  find  in  faa,  that  they  admitted 
into  the  Chriitian  church  many,  who  afterward  ap- 
peared  to  be  ungodly.  Simon,  the  forcerer,  is  a  re- 
markable inflance.  We  learn  from  Paul's  epiftles, 
that  in  moft  of  the  churches  to  which  he  wrote,  there 
were  great  numbers  of  unfound  profelTors.  The  apof- 
ties,  therefore,  did  not  know,  that  all,  whom  they  re- 
ceived into  the  church,  were  favingly  converted  ;  for 
it  is  manif-lt,  that  many  of  them  were  not  fo.  And 
fince  they  received  new  profelytes,  whofc  fmcerity 
muft,  at  prefent,  be  doubtful  to  themfelves,  as  well  as 
others,  without  the  lead  intimation  of  a  neceflity  cf  de- 
laying for  the  removal  of  doubts,  we  may  with  great 
fafety,  conclude,  that  a  ferious  perfon,  who  belie\'es 
the  gofpel,  and  defires  to  be  found  in  the  way  of  duty, 
and  of  the  divine  bleffing,  though  ftill  in  doubt  con- 
cerning the  gracious  llncerity  of  his  heart,  has  a  right 
to  come  to  the  communion  of  the  church. 

And  indeed,  if  Chriilians  were  to  delay,  till  all 
their  doubts  were  removed,  I  am  afraid  few  would 
come  -to  it  at  all.  And  perhaps  thefe  few  ^^'ould  not 
bo  of  the  better  fort.  While  the  felf  confident  hypo- 
crite drew  near,  the  meek,  the  modcfl,  the  humble, 
would  Hand  afar  off. 

The  members  of  the  church  in  Corinth,  as  \\c 
tern  from  Paul's  firft  letter  to  them,  ran  into  moft 
fcandalous  difordcrs  in  their  attendance  on  the  Lord's 
fupper.  They  behaved  in  Ciich  a'riotnus  manr.er,  as 
made  it  evident  that  they  dlfcerned  not  the  Lord's 
rwU,  .  rUIVinnfiuflicd  not  this  ordinance  from  a  com- 


(    25    ) 

nion  meal,  or  even  from  a  Pagan  fcilival.  One  took 
bK'fore  others  his  own  fupper  ;  and  one  was  hungry, 
having  eaten  nothing  before  he  came  to  it ;  and  anoth- 
er was  drunken,  ha^'ing  indulged  to  excefs  there ;  and 
the  poorer  memb'- rs  were  defplfed.  This  unworthy 
partaking  the  apoltle  rebukes  in  the  fcvercft  tcmns  ; 
and  warns  them,  that  they  were  eating  and  drinkhig 
judgment  to  themfclves,  of  which  they  had  melan- 
choly proof  in  the  fickncfs  and  mortality  which  had 
been  fcnt  among  them. 

Bur  what  advice  does  he  give  them  in  the  cafe  ? 
Does  he  dirc6l  them  to  withdraw  from  the  Lord's  ta- 
ble ?  No,  he  Ihews  tliem  the  danger  of  coming  in  this 
manner,  and  exhorts  them  to  come  better  prepared 
and  difpofcd.  Let  a  man  examine  himself^  and  so  let 
him  eat.  He  does  not  fay,  let  a  man  examine 
himfelf  and  withdraw ;  but  let  him  examine  and 
partake.  And  when  ye  come  together^  tarry  for  one 
another  ;  and  if  any  man  hunger^  let  him  eat  at  home^ 
that  ye  come  not  together  to  condemnation.  This  paf- 
fage,  llir  from  being  a  juft  ground  of  difcouragement, 
proves  the  point  which  we  have  itated,  that  fuch  as 
have  a  defire  to  comply  with  a  divine  inflitution,  arc 
not  to  delay,  on  account  of  their  humble  doubts  con- 
cerning their  convtrfion.  If  the  fear  of  unworthy- 
partaking  were  a  reafon  for  not  partaking  at  all,  as 
well  might  the  fear  of  praying,  or  reading  and  hear- 
ing the  word,  in  an  unworthy  manner,  he  a  reafon 
for  omitting  thefe  ;  for  it  is  evident  that  the  fcripturc 
enjoins  the  fame  temper  of  heart  in  these  duties,  as 
in  that.  The  truth  is,  we  are  required  to  attend  on 
every  ordinance  with  godly  lincerity  ;  and  a  fufplcion 
of  our  ii^ifmcerity  is  not  an  excufe  for  r.egk6\  ;  but  a 
reafon  for  examination,  repentance  and  amendment* 

Some  perhaps  will  fay,  for foiu^  havt  fuid,  we  have 
C 


C    2G    > 

fenfible  ckfires  to  approach  to  God  ia  all  his  ordinaiv 
ces  ;  but  there  may  be  deiires  which  are  not  gracious ; 
and  we  fear  ours  are  fuch  ;  we,  therefore,  dare  not 
'approach,  for  we  think  lefs  guilt  is  incurred  by  abfli- 
nonce,  than  by  attendance. 

But  confider,  God  requires  your  attendance  ;  and 
you  muH  either  attend  or  forbear,  comply  or  refufe  : 
There  is  no  medium  :  and  certainly  there  can  be  no 
more  grace  in  your  fears,  than  there  may  be  in  your 
desires.  If  your  deiires  to  attend  an  ordinance  are 
not  fpiritual,  neither  can  the  fears,  w^liich  rellrain 
you  from  attending,  be  called  fpiritual  :  You  can^ 
therefore,  be  na  better  accepted  in  your  negk<5\,  thaa 
in  your  compliance  ;  for  you  adl  on  no  better  prin- 
ciples in  the  former,  than  in  the  latter. 

It  is  vain  to  inquire,  in  what  way  you  fhall  contrail 
leafl  guilt  :  Your  bufinefs  is  not  to  contrive  how  you- 
can  fm  at  the  cheaptil  rate  :  Your  care  fliould  be  not 
to  fm  at  all. 

If  you  fay,  you  decline  the  communion  through 
fear  of  oHending  God  ;  examine  whether  50U  are  not 
deceived.  Are  you  as  confciendous.in  every  thing 
elfe,  as  you  would  feem  to  be  in  this  ?  Are  you  as 
much  afraid  to  offend  God  in  other  matters,  as  you 
pretend  to  be  in  this  ?  If  you  allow  yourfelves  in  any 
fm,  or  in  the  negie8;  of  any  duty,  be  afTured  it  is  not 
(he  fear  of  offending  God,  but  fomething  elfe,  that 
hinders  your  approach  to  his  table.  But  if  you  really 
have  fuch  a  fear  running  through  all  your  condui?!:, 
;ind  operating  in  all  your  deliberate  actions,  you  have 
a  very  good  evidence  of  your  right  tothe  holy  commu- 
nion: for,  in  all  afts of  \vorfhip,  you ferve God  accepta- 
bly, when  you  fervehim  withfLverence  and  gxlly  fear. 
The  raan  fcund  at  the  marriage  fcaft  without  a 
tvedding  garment,  fell  under  the  awful  cenfure  of  the 
king,  who  commanded  that  he  Ihould  be  bound  and 
eaft  into  outtei  darkntfs. 


(    27    ) 

Will  you  fay  then,  it  Is  the  fafcr  part  not  to  come 
to  the  marriage  Hall  at  all,  left  being  found  unwor- 
tliy,  we  fliare  the  flUe  of  this  gueft  ?  Uemeniber,  they 
who  made  hght  of  the  king's  invitation,  andrefufedto 
come  to  Wis  fon'3  marriage,  were  treated  with  no  more 
lenity  than  the  unworthy  gueft.  He  fent  forth  his  ar^ 
mics  and  dcftroyed  them,  and  burnt  up  their  city. 
What  then  (hall  we  conclude  ?  Why,  that  a  wicked 
man  is  fafe  no  where.  He  who  will  not  forfake  ini- 
quity, is  ftcure  neitiier  in  the  church  nor  out  of  it. 

The  crime  of  this  gueft  was,  not  that  he  was 
f<;und  at  thcfeasl :  but  that  he  wlis  found  unsuitably 
aitirtd.  Tiie  fame  dirt  and  rags  would  have  been  of- 
fenftve  elfe where. 

TiiE  fervants  were  ordered  to  go  out  into  the  high- 
ways, and  call  to  die  marriage  as  many  as  they  found  ; 
and  they  accordingly  gathered  together  both  bad  and 
good.  The  m.an,  you  fee,  was  a  poor  beggar,  called 
into  die  king's  hoL.ie,  from  out  of  the  ftreet.  How 
fliould  he  obtain  a  wedding  garment  ?  He  had  none 
of  his  own.  He  muft  come  to  the  king's  houfe  to  re- 
ceive one  ;  for  thtrc  was  clean  raiment,  as  well  as 
meat  and  drink.  Where  tlien  lay  his  great  crime  ? 
Surely  not  coming  in  to  the  king's  houfe,  for  he  was 
bidden  to  come  ;  and  fuch  as  refufed  were  deftjoyed  ; 
but  in  fitting  among  the  guefts  in  his  ragged  and  de- 
filed condition,  and  refilling  to  wear  the  pure  raiment 
provided  for  him.  Andfuch  will  be  the  condemnation 
of  falfe  profcflbrsatthe  laft  day  ;  not  fimply  that  dicy 
have  come  within  God's  church,  and  attended  on  his 
ordinances ;  but  that,  v,  hile  they  have  fat  under  the 
gofpel  difptnfition,  made  a  good  profeifion,  and  en- 
joyed all  die  means  of  holinefs,  they  have  contin- 
ued in  the  love  and  pra<Slice  of  thtir  fins  ;  that  while 
they  have  heard  Chriit  teach  in  their  ftrects,  and  have 
eaten  and  dr.mk  in  his  prcfence,  they  have  been  work- 


(    28    ) 

ers  of  iniquity.  We  are  not  to  imagine  that  wemayfafc- 
ly  work  iniquity,  if  we  will  only  keep  out  of  the  church. 
Such  will  .be  condemned  wherever  they  are  found. 
The  kingdom  of  God  is  cojnne  nigh  to  us  ;  his  word 
and  ordinances  are  given  to  us.  We  cannot  place 
ourfelves  in  the  condition  of  heathens,  if  we  would  ; 
for  God  has  placed  us  in  a  very  different  condition. 
The  light  has  rifen  upon  us  ;  the  word  offalvation  is 
fent  unto  us.  And  now  what  choice  Ihall  we  make  ? 
If  we  treat  God's  ordinances  with  utter  contempt,  wt 
are  condemned  ;  if  we  attend  upon  them  in  fuch  a 
manner  as  to  receive  no  benefit  from  them,  ft  ill  we 
are  condemned.  Our  only  lafety  then  is,  to  profefs 
the  gofpcl,  and  obey  it  ;  name  the  name  of  Chrill 
and  depart  from  iniquity  ;  this  is  to  come  to  the  mar- 
riage fupper,  and  put  on  the  wedding  garment. 

Let  us  fear  left  we  receive  the  grace  of  God  in 
vain.  Let  us  beware  left  our  pri\'ileges,  inftead  of 
being  the  means  of  our  faivation,  ferve  only  to  aggra- 
vate our  final  condemnation. 

You  fee  how  the  cafe  Hands.  All  are  required  to 
come  within  God's  church,  and  attend  on  his  appoint- 
ed ordinances  ;  and  none  are  allowed  to  do  this  in  a 
hypocritical  and  ungodly  manner. 

Your  duty  lies  plain  before  you  ;  ftudy  no  eva- 
fions  ;  God's  commands  are  exprefs  ;  your  obliga- 
tion to  obey  is  indifpenfible.  Attend  on  the  ordi- 
nance in  queftion,  and  every  other,  as  you  ha\'^  op- 
portunity ;  keep  in  view  the  end  of  th^ir  inftitution, 
which  is  the  promotion  of  faith  and  purity.  Imagine 
not  that  ordinances  operate  by  a  kind  of  charm,  to  do 
you  good  u  ithout  making  you  better  ;  you  will  only 
be  accepted  inliearing  Chrill  teach,  and  in  eating  in 
his  prefence,  when  you  alfo  depart  from  iniquity. 
For  his  kingdom  is  not  merely  meai  and  drink,  hut 

rig/jicQumss  (indPm^i  and  Joy  in  tk  Holy  Glmu 


CHRISTIAN  FELLOWSHIP. 


1  CoRiN.  i.  2. 


Unto  the  church  of  God,  which  is  at  Corinth  ;  to  them 
thai  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  called  to  be  saints^ 
with  all  that  in  every  place  call  on  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  both  tlieirs  and  oars. 

WK  liave  already  confidered  die  nature  of  a 
Chriflian  churcli ;  die  purpose  of  its  indi- 
tntion  ;  die  relation  o{ children  to  it ;  and  the  qualifi- 
cations neceflary  to  an  attendance  on  its  ordinances. 

What  now  lies  before  us  is, 

V.  To  explain  that  fellowship,  or  communion ^ 
which  does,  or  ought  to  fubfiil  among  profefling 
Chriftians,  whether  in  the  fame  or  in  divers  churches. 

To  diis  fubje<5Y,  we  are  led  by  the  lafl  claufe  in  our 
text ;  Grace  and  peace  to  the  chirch  of  God  in  Corinth, 
with  all  who,  in  e^uery  place,  coil  on^the  name  of  Jesus 
■Christ  our  Lord,  both  theirs  and  ours. 

We -are  here  taught,  that,  as  all  Chriftians,  in 
whatever  place  diey  may  dwell,  or  may  worfliip,  are 
difciples  of  the  fame  Lord,  and  call  on  God  in  the 
name  of  the  fame  INkdiator  ;  fo  tliere  is  an  important 
relation,  and  ought  to  be  a  facrcd  fcllowfliip  amonj 
them. 

For  the  illuilration  of  this  matter,  I  would  obferve, 

L  There  is  a  virtual  tellowlhip  or  communion 

among    all    true    faints,  w  hether  near  or  remote  : 

whether  known  or  unknown  to  each  other.     They 

D 


C    30    ) 

are  all  engaged  lii  the  fame  defign,  united  in  the  fame 
intereit,  and  partakers  of  many  of  the  fame  things. 

Tpf  IS  is  the  fenfe  in  which  rhc  word  is  mofl  fre- 
quendy  ufed  in  fcriptiire  ;  and  this  is  analogous  to  the 
fenfe  which  it  ordinurily  beai  s  in  common  life.  Par- 
ticularly, 

Real  faints  have  fcUowsbip  in  the  gospel,  Tl:iey 
have  received  one  and  the  iame  rule  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice. Though  diey  may  differ  in  their  opinions  con- 
cerning fome  particular  things  contained  in  the  gofpel, 
yet  their  fentiments  in  the  elfential  do6lrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  it,  are  the  fame. 

They  have  received  one  common  faith  ;  like  prec- 
ious faith.  Though  their  faith  may  differ  in  its  extent 
and  degree,  yet,  in  its  objecl,  nature  and  influence,  it 
is  one  and  the  fame.  The  object  of  it  is  divine  truth  ; 
the  nature  of  it  is  receiviiig  the  love  of  the  truth  ; 
the  influence  of  it  is  purifying  the  heart. 

They  arc  all  formed  to  the  fame  holy  tcrnpcr. 
They  are  renewed  after  the  image  of  God  ;  are  joint 
partakers  of  a  divine  nature.  There  may  be  great  va- 
riety in  the  time,  manner  and  circumftances  of  dieir 
renovation,  and  in  the  ftrength  and  degree  of  the 
Chrillian  temper  ;  but  holineis,  in  its  general  nature, 
is  die  lame  in  all.  It  is  a  conformity  to  God's  moral 
chara(5ler. 

They  are  all  partakers  of  the  fame  divine  spirit. 
There  are  diverfilies  of  gifts  and  operations  ;  but  it  is 
the  fame  fpirit  tliat  worketh  all  in  all.  Ikncc  die  a- 
poflle  fpeaks  of  the  fellowship  of  the  spirit,  and  the 
commwiion  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 

They  are  engaged  in  die  fame  gooJ -ivn/Ii ;  in  die 
f  une  great  design.  They  arc  workiiii;  out  their  Ilil- 
vation,  and  promoting  in  their  rcfpc6livc  places,  the 


(    51     ) 

interefl  of  Chrlfl's  kingdom.  Thty  arc  fellow  hboiir- 
ers  in  the  fame  fervice,  the  fervicc  of  God  imd  their 
own  fouls.  They  are  fellow  workers  in  the  fame  ho- 
ly cailin?.  Tiiey  are  fellow  foldiers  in  the  fame  fpir- 
iiual  warfare  ;  figliting  againft  the  fame  enemies,  fin, 
fuan,  and  the  world  ;  applying  the  fame  armour,  the 
ihieid  of  faith,  the  helmet  of  hope,  the  breaftplate  of 
righteoufncfs,  and  the  fword  ofthefpirit;  and  they 
ah  under  the  fame  leader,  Jefus  the  captain  of  their 
falvation. 

They  have  one  common  interest.  They  have  a 
joint  intereft  in  the  bklTed  God  ;  for  there  is  one  God 
and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  through  all,  and 
in  them  all.  They  bear  the  fame  relation  to  Jefus 
Chrift  ;  for  there  is  one  Lord  and  Saviour,  by  whom 
are  all  things,  and  they  by  him.  There  is  one  com- 
mon falvation,  in  which  they  all  are  fliarers.  They 
are  all  juftified  by  the  lame  atonement,  waflied  in  the 
fame  blood,  fanclified  by  the  fame  grace,  and  faved  by 
the  fame  intercefiion .  They  have  an  intereil  in  tlie 
fame  promifcs,  and  a  title  to  the  fame  inheritance. 
They  are  called  in  the  fame  hope,  and  are  joint  heirs 
of  the  fliUie  glory.  They  are  fellow  citizens  with  the 
faints,  and  of  the  houfehold  of  God. 

In  thefc  refpedls,  there  is  a  fcllowfhip  among  all  fm- 
cere  Chriflians.  In  many  of  thefe  things,  faints  on 
earth  have  communion  with  thofe  in  Heaven. 

One  connot  but  remark  here,  how^  diverfc  this  fel- 
lowfhip  is,  from  that  which  fome  boaft  of;  a  mutual 
sympathy,  or  felloiv  fedlng,  bcnveen  sincere  Chris- 
tians,  by  vjbich  one  immediatdy  perceives  the  grace, 
and  knows  the  character  of  another.  The  fcripture 
iKver  ufcs  the  word  felloiv ship  in  this  feiile,  nca*  doe& 


(.    32    J) 

it  fpeak  of  any  fiich  thing  in  other  terms.  It  is  cer- 
tain, that  the  apoftles  and  firft  Chriitians  were  not 
acquainted  with  fuch  a  fympathetic.intercourre  of 
fpirits.  If  they  were,  why  did  not  the  eleven  difciplcs 
difcern,  that  Judas  was  a  hypocrite  ;  Why  did  not 
the  Chriflians  of  Jenifalem  beheve  Paul  to  be  a  difci- 
ple  ?  Why  did  not  they  feel  his  graces,  when,  after 
his  converfion,  he  efTaj^ed  to  join  himfclf  to  them  I 
Why  could  not  the  apoftles  themfelves  be  fatisficd  of 
his  converfion,  vrithout  the  teftimony  of  Barnabas  ? 
What  occalion  was  there,  that  Chriftians  fhould  car- 
ry with  them  letters  of  commendation,  as  we  find 
they  did,  when  they  travelled  to  places  where  they  had 
not  been  known. 

As  the'gofpel  knowsjno  fuch  correfpondence  of  heart 
between  Chriftians ;  and  never  once  ufes  the  word 
fellow  (hip,  or  communion  in  any  fuch  fenfe,  it  is  a 
perverfion  offcripture,  as  well  as  reafon,  to  pretend  to 
fuch  a  thing  now,  and  call  it  by  a  fcripture  name.  I 
proceed  to  obferve, 

2.  Besides  the  w/z/^/  communion,  before  de- 
fcribed,  among  fmcere  Chriftians,  there  is  an  actual 
communion  among  thofe  who  are  known  to,  and  have 
intercourfe  with,  one  another.  This  conlifts  in  mu- 
tual regards  and  good  ofiices. 

The  good  Chriftian  extends  his  benevolence  to  all, 
to  ftrangers,  heathens  and  enemies  ;  and,  from  this 
principle,  fhews  kindnefs  to  all,  as  far  as  their  occa- 
fions  require,  and  his  circumftanccs  permit.  But 
for  them  who  appear  to  him  in  the  chara6ler  of  iliints, 
he  has  a  love,  not  only  of  benevolence,  but  alfo  of 
efteem  and  approbation.  He  wiflies  well  to  all» 
whether  good  or  bad  ;  but  he  values  men  chiefly  ac- 
cording to  their  virtuous  converfation.  While  he  is 
difpofed  to  do  good  to  all,  he  reckons  himfclf  under 


(    33     ) 

fome  fupci lor  obligations  to  thofc  ^^ho  arc  of  the 
liourchold  of  fa'uh.  He  dtlights  in  the  faints  as  the 
excellent  of  the  earth,  and  is  the  companion  of  them 
who  fear  G(kI.  He  loves  the  brethren,  and  fiich  he 
(fleems  all  ChrlRians,  wliethcr  thej'  belong  to  the 
fame  fociety  with  him,  or  to  another.  He  confines 
not  his  regard  to  thofc  of  his  own  fe^,  or  his  own 
particular  community  ;  but,  like  the  apofUes,  extends 
it  to  all  who,  in  every  place,  call  on  the  name  of  Jefus 
Ghrilf ,  their  Lord,  as  well  as  his^  and  the  common 
Saviour  of  them  who  believe. 

In  order  to  the  exercife  of  true  Cliriftian  love.  It  is 
not  neceflary  to  know  the  fmcerity  of  men's  hearts. 
It  is  enough  that,  by  their  profellion  and  converfation, 
the3'  appear  to  us  in  the  chara6\er  of  Chrillian  breth- 
ren, and  by  their  works  give  us  reafonable  ground  to 
think  they  have  faith.  We  may,  in  a  proper  fenfe, 
have  this  actual  fellowfhip  with  one  who  is  not  a  fm- 
cere  Chriflian  ;  and  may  not  have  it  with  one  who 
isfuch.  So  long  as  Judas  appeared  in  the  chara61:er 
ofadifciple,  his  brethren  had  f-Ilowfhip with  him; 
they  eileemed  him.,  placed  confidence  in  him,  and 
even  thought  him  better  than  themfelves  ;  but  with 
Paul,  the  difcipies  at  Jerufalem  had  not  this  actual 
fellowOiip ;  they  confided  not  in  him,  nor  believed 
him  to  be  a  difciple,  till  he  produced  ibme  proper 
evidence  of  a  change  in  his  lentiments  and  practice. 

3.  There  is  2i\{o  2i  special  communion,  which 
does,  or  ought  to  take  place  among  thofe  Chriftians, 
who  are  united  in  the  fame  particular  church,  or  relig- 
ious fociety. 

As  they  have  explicitly  covenanted  together  for 
fecial  worOiip  and  conmiou  edification,  lb  they  are  un- 


(    34    1 

der  peculiar  obligations  to  each  other,  unitedly  to  pur- 
fuc  this  important  purpofe. 

This  special  communion  principally  confiils  in  a 
joint  attendance  on  tlie  ordinances  of  Chrill. 

It  is  faid  of  thofe  who  received  the  word  preached 
by  Ptter,  on  the  day  of  pentecoft,  that  they  continued 
stcdfast  in  the  apostle^ s  doctrine  and fellonv ship,  and 
in  breaking  of  bread  and  in  prayers.  They  were 
together,  and  continued  dcMy  with  one  accord  in  the 
temple  ;  praising  God,  The  gpoftle  to  the  Hebrews 
exhorts  the  profefTors  of  religion,  that  they  consider 
one  another,  to  proDoke  to  lo'oe  and  good  works,  net 
forsaking  the  assembling  of  themselves  together, 
St.  Paul  li3eaks  of  the  Corinthian  believers,  as  corn- 
ing together  in  the  church,  and  into  one  place.  He 
reprefents  the  whole  church  as  coming  together  in  one 
place,  for  breaking  of  bread,  for  focial  prayer,  and  for 
attendance  on  the  preaching  of  the  word.  Tht  fe  ex- 
prellions  teach  us,  that  the  members  of  a  particular 
church  ought  to  walk  together  in  the  ordinances,  and 
unitedly  to  attend  on  the  ftated  vv^orlhip  of  God,  as 
they  are  able,  without  unneceffary  neglcQ.  And, 
indeed,  it  is  included  in  the  very  idea  of  a  particular 
church,  that  they  worfliip  God  together,  at  the  fame 
time,  and  in  the  fame  place.  The-apoflle  direiSlsthe 
Corinthians,  when  they  came  together,  to  tarry  for  one 
another  ;  for  which  furely  there  could  be  noreafon,  if 
they  might  difperfc  here  and  there,  and  fome  worlliip 
in  one  place,  and  fome  in  another,  and  fome  no 
where. 

The  acceptablenefs  of  worfliip,  indeed,  depends 
not  on  the  place  where  it  is  performed.  But  it  much 
depends  on  a  fpirlt  of  peace  and  union  among  the  wor- 


(    55    ) 

lliippcrs.  For  this  rcafon,  the  cliurch  is  to  come  to- 
gctlurinto  one  place,  that  there  maybe  nofcbifm, 
but  all  her  members  may  with  one  mind,  and  one 
moutii  glorify  God.  They  miifl:  be  builded  togeth- 
er, that  they  may  become  an  habitation  of  God 
througli  the  fpirit ;  muRbe  fitly  framed  together,  that 
tliey  may  grow  into  an  holy  temi)!e  in  the  Lord. 

There  may  be  frequent  occafions  for  the  members 
of  the  fame  church  to  meet  for  focial  worfFiip  in 
different  places,  and  even  in  private  houfes.  Paul, 
when  he  abode  in  fLphcfus,  preached  and  taught 
both  publicly,  and  from  houfe  to  houfe.  We  are  not 
t/3  imagine  a  temple,  or  pubUc  houfe,  fo  pecuharly 
Hicred,  that  divine  worfliip  can  no  where  elfebe 
ufeful  to  men,  or  pleafing  to  the  Deity.  The  private 
meetings  of  chriftians,  condu^led  with  a  real  view  to 
peace  and  edification,  are  much  to  be  commended. 
But  when  any  of  the  members  of  a  church  withdraw 
from  the  ufual  place  of  worfliip,  and  aflemble  elfe- 
where,  either  with  an  intention  to  caufedivifion,  or  in 
a  manner  which  tends  to  it,  thej"  violate  the  order  of 
Chrifl's  houfe,  and  interrupt  the  communion  which 
ought  to  fubfift  in  it.  Though  Paul  taught  from 
houfe  to  houfe,  yet  he  approved  not  thofe  teachers, 
who  crept  into  houfes  to  lead  the  hmple  captive,  and 
difturb  Chriflian  fello^^  lliip.  He  warns  Chriftians  to 
mark  and  avoid  thofe  who  caufe  divifions,  for  fuch 
ler\e  not  the  kingdom  of  Chrifl,  but  their  own  private 
dc  figiis.  One  great  end  of  focial  worfliip  is  peace  and 
union  ;  and  it  ought  always  to  be  condudled  in  a 
manner  which  tends  not  to  defeat,  but  promote  this 
Lud.  It  is  not  the  facrednefs  of  one  place  rather  than 
.\aotlicr,  but  the  comuion  edification,  which  obliges 


{    36    ) 

tlie' whole  church  to  come  together  in  one  place.  The 
members  no  longer  walk  in  feliowfhip,  than  they  thus 
unitedly  attend  the  facred  orders  of  C  brill's  houfe. 

Among  divine  ordinances,  the  Lord^s  supper  de- 
ferves  particular  attention  ;  for  one  main  delign  of  this 
was  to  be  a  mean  of  brotherly  communion.  Eating 
and  drinking  together,  at  the  fame  table,  is  a  ?iatural 
a6l  of  feilowfliip.  Doing  this  at  the  Lord's  table  is 
ana6l  of  Christian  fellowiliip.  The  cup  which  n.ve 
bless ^  and  the  bread  which  we  breaks  is  the  connminion 
of  Chris t^s  blood,  and  of  his  body  :  and  by  our  joint 
participation  of  them,  we  acknowledge  ourfelves  to  be 
one  family,  the  children  of  one  parent,  the  difciples  of 
one  Lord.  fFe  being  many  are  one  body,  and  one 
bread,  or  loaf ;  for  we  are  all  partakers  of  that  one 
loaf.  This  ordinance  is  a  love  feafl,  and  ought  to  be 
hept,  not  with  the  leaven  of  malice  and  wickedness,  but 
with  the  unleavened  l?)^ad  of  sincerity  and  truth.  No 
tritlmg  caufes  Ihould  divert  or  detain  us  from  it ;  and 
no  evil  paihons  accompany  us  in  it. 

And  here  I  cannot  but  take  notice  of  a  practice  too 
CQmmon  among  the  profeflbrs  of  religion  ;  their  with- 
drawing from  the  Lord's  table,  because  a  particular 
brother  has  injured,  or  offended  them;  for  which  I 
find  no  foundation  in  the  gofpel.     We  are,  indeed, 
to  withdraw  from  every  brother  voho  walks  disorderly. 
But  how  ?  By  breaking  up  the  communion  ?  No, 
bui  by  putting  away  the  wicked  person  from  among 
Us  ;  and  by  purging  out  the  old  leaven,  that  %ve  may 
be  a  ne%v  lump.     We  may  think  our  brother  unwor- 
thy of  the  privilege  which  he  alRnnes  ;  but  iliaL  his 
unworthinefs  depri\'c  us  of  the  privilege  ?  We  are,  in 
proper  fcafon,  to  take  tlie  meaiurts  prelcribedin  the 
gofpel,  for  his  reformation  ;  but,  in  the  mean  time, 


(    37    ) 

we  are  neither  to  abfent  ourfelves  from  the  table,  nor 
to  forbid  hLs  attendance  ;  for  we  can  jullly  exclude 
him  only  by  convi61:ion  in  a  re  gular  proctfs.  If  the 
cafe  is  fo  circun.llanccd,  that  fufficient  evidence  for 
his  convi61:ion  cannot  be  produced,  he  mud  be  left  to 
the  judge  of  all  men.  Whatever  our  opinion  may  be 
of  his  guilt,  we  are  not  to  withdraw  on  account  of  his 
attendance.    Judge  nothing  before  the  time. 

You  will  fay,  Charity  is  necessary  in  our  attend- 
ancc  at  Cbrist^s  table,  but  witb  such  a  brother ^  hozv 
can  we  sit  down  in  charity  ?  People  often  confound 
themfelves  in  this  matter,  by  their  partial  notions  of 
cliarity.  If  by  charity  were  intended  an  opinion  of 
others  as  good  Chriflians,  you  could  not  fit  down  in 
charitj^  with  thofeofwhom  you  thought  otherv.ifc. 
Biit  ^^■here  do  you  find  this  defcription  of  charity  ?  or 
where  is  this  good  opinion  of  all  your  fellow  commu- 
nicants required,  in  order  to  your  fitting  at  Chrifl's 
table  ?  It  is  the  effe^l,  not  the  eiTence  of  charity,  to 
hope  all  things.  If  you  have  a  benevolent,  meek,  for- 
giving temper  toward  thofe  whom  you  think  not  to 
be  true  Chriflians,  you  can  fet  down  in  charity  with 
them  ;  for  this  is  the  fcriptural  idea  of  charity.  If 
you  remember  a  brother  hath  ought  againfl  you,  go 
and  be  reconciled  to  him.  If  you  have  ought  againfl 
a  brother,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault.  If  he  repent  for- 
give him  ;  if  he  repent  not,  ilill  indulge  no  rancor  nor 
hatred  in  your  heart.  Thus  lit  down  at  the  feafl  in 
charity,  in  kind  affci^lion,  to  your  brethren  and  to  all 
men. 

Perhaps  fome  will  fay,  *  We  withdraw  from  the 
table  when  a  brother  has  injured  us,  becaufe  his  pref- 
ence  awakens  in  us  unfuitable  pallions.' 
E 


(    38    ) 

But  remember,  the  indulgence  of  malevolent  paf- 
fions  is  your  fin  ;  and  you  are  not  to  abfent  your- 
ielves  from  communion,  but  to  difmifs  them  ;  and  fo 
keep  the  feaft  in  fmcerity  and  love.  Malice  and  ill- 
will  indulged  in  the  heart  are  wrong,  whoever  is  the 
object,  whether  a  brother,  or  a  heathen.  And  on  this 
plea,  you  might  as  well  withdraw,  when  the  latter,  as 
%vhen  the  former  had  done  you  an  injury. 

Cojs^siDER  alfo,  you  were  required  to  pray,  and  to 
hear  the  word,  with  the  fame  charity  w  hich  is  re- 
quired in  the  fupper.  fFben  you  starid  prayings  you 
we  toforgwe  if  you  haDe  ought  against  any  man. 
And  you  are  to  lay  apart  all  guile ^  malice  and  envy  ; 
and  thus  to  desire  the  sincere  milk  of  the  ivord;  receiv- 
ing it  with  meekness.  Your  plea,  therefore,  might  as 
well  be  urged  for  neglecliiig  public  worfliip,  or  even 
family  prayer,  be  fure,  if  the  offender  happens  to  be 
prefent,  as  for  abfenting  from  the  fupper. 
.^The  truth  is,  you  are  never  to  excufe  yourfclves 
from  a<5ls  of  duty,  on  account  of  evil  paifions  working 
in  yoir ;  but  immediately  to  war  againil  them. 

It  will  be  afked.  How  can  I  have  cojiwmnionwith 
a  churchy  while  she  tolerates  ungodly  and  scandalous 
7ncmbcrs  ? 

Buxletmcaik  you,  my  friend,  does  flie  tolerate 
them  ?  If  flie  does,  whofe  bufinefs  is  it  to  take  the 
firft  fttp  towards  re6\ifying  the  difordcr  ?  It  is  yours, 
as  much  as  any  man's.  It  is  yours  principally.  You 
pretend,  that  you  fee  fuch  purfons  in  the  church. 
Othcj  s  perhaps  fee  them  not,  or  have  not  evidence 
againil  then\  Have  you  repro\'cd  them  I  Have  you 
taken  a  brother  or  two  to  alFift  \ou  ?  Have  you  brought 
your  complaint  to  tlie  church  ?  If  you  have  done  none 
of  thcfe  things,  you  arc  the  mod  reprchcnfible  of  aii^' 


C    39    ) 

member ;  for  you  fee  the  fin,  and  expofc  it  not.  Go 
firfl,  and  do  your  own  duty.  You  can  have  no  pre- 
tence for  withdrawing,  till  you  know  that  the  churcli 
achiallj^  tolerates  vicious  characters ;  and  this  you 
cannot  know  till  you  have  taken  the  meafurcs  which 
Chrift  enjoins. 

But  though  I  may  think  a  church  to  be,  in  the 
main,  a  true  church,  yet  if  I  fee  errors  in  her,  ought 
I  not  to  teftify  againft  them  by  withdrawing  from 
them  ?  By  no  means.  Your  withdrawing  is  no  tcf- 
timony  againft  her  particular  errors  ;  it  is  only  a  gen- 
eral, indifcriminate  charge.  It  fignifics  that  you  are 
difpleafed  at  fomething ;  but  points  out  nothing.  You 
are  to  commune  with  her ;  but  not  adopt  her  errors  ; 
then  your  conduct  will  fpeak  an  intelligible  language. 
Chrift  teftified  againft  the  errors  of  the  Jewifh  church, 
and  laboured  for  her  reformation  ;  but  ftill  he  held 
communion  with  her  as  a  church  of  God.  Let  his 
example  be  your  rule. 

This  leads  me  to  obferve  farther,  that  fpecialfel- 
lowfhip  among  the  members  of  a  particular  church 
muft  include  mutual  watchfulnefs,  reproof  and  ex- 
hortation. 

As  Chriftians,  in  the  prefent  ftate,  are  but  imper- 
fe£l,  one  end  of  their  covenanting  and  afTociating  to- 
gether is,  that  they  may  afford  mutual  afliftance  in  the 
great  concerns  of  religion,  and  be  fellow  helpers  in 
the  work  of  their  common  falvation.  Accordingly, 
they  are  required  to  confidei;  and  admonifh,  comfort 
and  encourage  one  another,  as  there  is  occafion  ;  to 
be  all  fubje(5\  one  to  another,  and  to  be  clothed  with 
humility.  By  virtue  of  our  fpecial  relation,  as  mem- 
bers of  one  churchy  we  are  to  rebuke  our  brethren> 


(40    ) 

and  not  fuffer  fm  upon  them.  Thofe  who  offend, 
we  are  firft  to  addrefs  in  a  more  private  manner  : 
them  who  are  deaf  to  private  expoftiilations,  we  are 
to  bring  before  the  church  ;  fuch  as  contemn  tlie 
counfels  of  the  church  are  to  be  cut  off  from  her  com- 
munion  ;  but  the  penitent  are  to  be  reftored  in  the 
fpirit  of  mecknefs.     Once  more. 

Our  fpecial  fellowfhip  requires  mutual  candor, 
condefcenfion  and  forbearance. 

We  are  to  confider  ourfelves,  and  our  brethren, 
not  as  fnilefs,  but  imperfe6\  beings,  attended  with  in- 
firmities, fubje6l  to  temptations,  Hable  to  offend,  and 
to  be  offended.  While  we  are  cautious  not  to  give 
offence  by  doing  things  grievous  to  them,  we  lliould 
make  all  reafonable  allowances  for  them,  when  they 
do  things  gi^ievous  to  us.  We  fhould  neither  flifRy 
oppofe,  nor  zealouily  urge  indifferent  matters.  We 
Ihould  not  feverely  animadvert  on  fmaller  faults,  nor 
magnify  accidental  failings  into  heinous  crimes  ;  but 
give  every  one's  condu6l  the  moll  favourable  turn  it 
will  bear.  Such  is  the  apoftlc's  advice.  We  that 
are  strong  ought  to  bear  the  infirmities  of  the  iveak^ 
and  not  to  please  oursehes,  L  et  eijertj  one  of  us  please 
his  neighbour  for  his  good  to  edification.  Him  who  is 
•weak  in  the  faith  receive  ye  ;  but  not  to  doubtful  dispu-^ 
tation.  Let  us  not  judge  one  another ;  but  judge  this 
rather^  that  no  man  put  a  stumbling  block  in  his 
brother^ s  ivay .  Be  of  the  same  mind  one  toward  anotb" 
er.  Condescend  to  men  of  low  estate.  Let  no  mafA 
seek  his  o^vn,  but  e*vert/  man  cmothcr'^s  wealth.  For*\ 
low  the  things  which  make  for  peace  and  edificationi\ 
Let  all  your  things  be  done  with  charity, 

4.  The  laft  branch  of  Chriftian  fellowfliip,  which  I 
(hall  mention,  is  tliat  \\'hich  ought  to  fubfift  among 


(     41     ) 

different  churches  ;  among  all  ^vho,  in  every  plac^, 
call  on  the  name  of  our  common  Lord. 

As  all  Chrillian  churches  are  united  under,  and 
fubje61  to  one  head,  fo  they  are  members  one  of 
another,  and  therefore  ought,  like  the  mc  mbers  of  the 
natural  l)ody,  to  preferv^e  a  reciprocal  intercourfe. 
The  apoflle  f^^ys,  As  the  body  is  one  and  bath  many 
members^  and  all  the  members  of  that  one  body,  being 
many^  are  one  body  ;  so  also  is  Christ,  For  by  one 
spirit  are  we  all  baptized  into  one  body,  whether  we  be 
Jews  or  Gentiles  ;  whether  we  be  condor  free.  Care, 
therefore,  fliould  be  taken,  that  there  be  no  schism, 
or  di'vision  in  the  body,  but  all  the  members  should 
hat'e  the  same  care  one  for  another, 

A  particular  church  ought  to  confider  herfelf,  not 
as  an  unconnedled  fociety ,  but  as  a  pai;t  of  Chrift's 
general  kingdom  :  her  care  muft  not  be  confined  to 
herfelf,  but  extended  to  her  filler  churches  :  She  is  to 
feek,  not  merely  her  own  profit,  but  the  profit  of 
many. 

Some  diverfity  of  fentiment  andpraflice  may  take 
place  in  different  churches,  and  yt\  all  remain  true 
churches  of  Chriil: ;  as  there  may  be  divers  opinions 
among  the  members  of  the  fame  church,  and  they 
flill  be  real  chriftians.  We  are  neither  to  rejcQ  a 
thurch,  nor  to  exclude  a  particular  Chriflian  from 
our  fellowfliip,  for  ll^ppofed  errors,  which  appear  not 
to  be  of  fuch  a  nature  and  magnitude,  as  to  fubvert 
the  foundation  of  Chriftianitj\  Our  apoftle  teaches 
us,  *  that  we  arc  to  regard  all  aS  our  fello^v  chriftians, 
and  all  churches  as  fiftcr  churches,  who,  in  every 
place,  a\ll  on  the  name  of  Jeftis  Chrift  our  Lord,  both 
theirs  and  ours  ;  who  profcfs  one  body,  one  fpirit. 


(    42    )  ' 

and  one  hope  of  their  calling  ;  and  who  hold  the  fame 
head  from  which  all  the  body  is  knit  together.  In  a 
word,  he  cautions  us,  that  *  we  rtje6l  not  thofe  whom 
God  has  received. '  If  we  know  a  particular  church, 
in  which  errors  are  admitted,  we  are  to  afford  our 
afiiftance  for  her  amendment.  But  fo  long  as  we  be- 
lieve God  owns  her,  by  continuing  to  her  his  word 
and  ordinances,  and  bleifmg  them  for  her  fpiritual 
benefit ;  it  is  arrogance,  it  is  impiety,  for  us  to  difown 
her.  We  have  no  warrant  to  \\  ithdraw  our  fcllow- 
ih'ip  from  a  church,  unlefs  flie  has  effentially  depart- 
ed from  the  gofpel  ;  or  impofes  on  us  terms  of  fcl- 
lowfhip,  which  we  cannot  in  confcicnce  comply  >\'ith. 

If  it  be  aiked,  in  what  actions  different  churches 
are  to  have  ftllowlhip  ?  I  anfwer ; 

They  ought  occafionally  to  commune  with  each 
other  in  the  word,  prayer,  and  breaking  of  bread  ;  to 
admit  each  other's  members  to  occafional  commun- 
ion with  them  ;  to  recommend  their  own  members 
to  other  churches,  into  whofe  vicinity  they  may  re- 
move ;  and  to  receive  members  of  other  churches  on 
their  recommendation.  When  Apollos  pafled  from 
Ephefus  into  Achaia,  the  brethren  in  Ephcfiis  wrote 
to  the  difciples  in  Achaia  to  receive  him.  When 
Pliebe  went  from  Cenclirea  to  Rome,  Paul  wrote  to 
the  Roman  church,  that  they  Ihould  receive  her  in" 
the  Lord,  as  becometh  faints. 

Churches  are  alfo  to  have  fellowfliip,  by  mutual 
counfel  and  advice,  when  difficulties  arife. 

Though  no  church,  or  number  of  churches  have 
an  abfolute  jurifdidlion  over  other  churches,  yet  they 
fliould  always  be  ready  to  afford  help  and  affiffance,  at 
the  rcqueft  of  fiftcr  churches,  as  occafions  may  rew 


C    43    ) 

quire.  We  find  in  the  hiflory  of  the  At\s,  that  the 
church  of  Antioch,  on  a  difficulty  which  arofc  there 
relating  to  circumcilion,  fcnt  Barnabas  and  Paul,  and 
certain  others  with  them,  to  Jcrulaleni,  to  confult  the 
apollles  and  elders  of  the  church  there,  and  to  afk  their 
advice  upon  the  matter.  When  tiiofe  nieliengers  from 
Antioch  came  to  Jurufalem,  they  were  received  by 
the  apoiUes  and  elders,  and  by  the  church.  And 
when  the  apoftles  had  determined  the  matter  in  que  f- 
tion,  they,  together  with  the  churcii,  fent  meflengers, 
and  by  them,  a  letter  to  the  Antiochean  and  other 
churches  in  the  vicinity,  declaring  their  opinion  and 
advice  in  the  cafe  referred  to  them. 

This  example,  as  well  as  the  reafori  of  the  thing, 
fliews  the  propriety  and  neceffity  of  mutual  affillance 
among  churches  by  counfel  and  advice,  in  order  to 
the  common  edification  and  comfort. 

I  HAVE  now  diitindlly  ilhiftrated  the  fcveral  matters 
propofed  to  your  confideration.  Permit  me,  before 
I  conclude,  to  point  out  to  you  the  proper  improve- 
ment of  this  fubje6l. 

We  who  have  made  an  open  profeffion  of  religion, 
and  have  joined  ourfelves  to  the  church  of  God,  with 
an  explicit  engagement  to  walk  together  in  his  com- 
mandments and  ordinances,  aix:  now  called  upon  to 
confider  the  obligations  we  are  under,  and  the  duties 
efpecially  incumbent  upon  us. 

1.  Let  ws  be  well  fettled  in  the  principles  of  that 
religion  which  we  profcfs. 

We  are  called  into  a  church  flatc,  diat,  being  edifi- 
ed in  the  faith  and  kno^\  ledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  we 
may  be  no  more  children,  carried  about  with  every 
^^ind,of  doftriue,  by  the  flight  of  men,  and  the  cun. 


(    44    ) 

ning  craftJnefs  where\vith  they  lie  ia  wait  to  deceive. 
Jefus  Chrift  is  the  fame  ycfterday,  today,  and  for 
ever.  His  gofpel  is  ever  the  iame  ;  not  variable  like 
the  humoi  s  luul  opinions  of  men.  Therefore,  be  ye 
not  carried  about  with  clivers  and  ftrange  do^rines, 
as  if  religion  was  fometimes  one  thing,  and  fometimes 
another.  It  is  a  good  thing  that  the  heart  be  cftab- 
liflied  with  grace.  We  ought  not  indeed  to  be  ItiiF 
and  inflexible  in  our  own  fentiments  and  ufages, 
merely  becaufe  they  are  our  own.  We  Ihould  give 
up  former  opinions,  and  adopt  others,  when  evidence 
is  offered  fufficient  tojuflify  the  change.  But  then  a 
ficklenefs  of  temper,  a  veflktility  of  fentiment,  a  dif. 
poiition  to  fall  in  with  every  novel  opinion,  and  to  fol- 
low every  impulfe  of  fancy,  is  utterly  unbecoming  a 
Chriftian,  Such  unlleadinefs  indicates  either  the 
want  of  competent  knowledge,  or  the  want  of  any 
fixed  principles  in  religion. 

Amidst  the  various  opinions  which  are  propagated 
■and  maintained,  an  honelt  chriftian,  I  am  ieniible, 
may  often  be  perplexed  to  determine  what  is  truth. 
But  then,  I  would  obferve,  it  is  by  no  means  necef- 
fary,  that  he  ihould  be  able  to  ani'wer  every  argument 
adduced  in  fupport  of  error. '  There  are  certain  great 
and  leading  principles,  in  which  every  chriilian  mull 
be  fuppofed  to  be  fettled ;  and  by  thcle  he  may  try  the 
do(5\rines  propofed  to  him,  and  judge  whether  they 
are  of  God. 

There  are  two  grand  points  wliich  die  gofpel  al- 
ways keeps  in  view.  One  is  the  indifpeniible  ne- 
cefiity  of  holinefs  in  heai't  and  life,  in  order  to  eternal 
happintfs.  The  other  is,  our  entire  dependence  on 
the  grace  and  mercy  of  God,  through  the  Redeemer, 


C    45    ) 

for  pardon,  fanflification  and  glor>\  Every  man, 
who  profellls  to  be  a  Chriflian,  mufl  be  fuppofcd  to  be 
fettled  in  thefe  grand  points.  The  man,  who  imag- 
ines that  he  is  not  indebted  to,  nor  dependent  on  a 
Saviour,  or  that  there  is  no  need  of  a  conformity  to 
his  lioly  pattern  and  precepts,  in  order  to  final  falva- 
tion,  can,  with  no  confiilency,  pretend  to  be  a 
chriftian. 

All  fuch  do6lrines,  as  plainly  contradi6l  either 
of  thefe  principles  ;  fuch,  on  the  one  hand,  asey't 
men  above  a  dependence  on  Jefus  Chrifl,  and  the  in- 
fluences of  the  divine  fpirit  ;  and  fueh,  on  the  other 
hand,  as  confound  tlic  difference  betv.-ecn  virtue  and 
vice,  and  obftrucl  the  influence  of  the  divine  com- 
mands, mull  be  reje6led,  whatever  fpecious  argu- 
ments may  be  urged  in  their  favour. 

2.  Let  us  maintain  a  conflant,  devout  attendance 
on  the  appointed  ordinances  of  Chrilt. 

If  we  carelefsly  negle^l  thefe,  we  contradi6l  the 
defign  of  a  church,  and  our  own  charafter  as  mem- 
bers of  it. 

Christians  are  bound  to  attend  on  all  ordinances, 
one  as  well  as  another.  The  gofpel  makes  no  diflinc- 
tion.  The  primitive  Chriilians  'continued  iledfafl  in 
the  apofUes'  do6\rine  and  ftllowfhip,  and  in  breaking 
of  bread,  and  in  prayer. 

There  are  among  us  fome,  who  profefs  the  relig- 
ion of  Chrifl:,  and  who,  by  their  regular  attendance 
at  the  fandlviary,  as  well  as  by  their  general  converfa- 
tion,  exprcfs  a  regard  for  the  religion  which  tliey  f)ro- 
fefs  ;  but  yet  abfent  tliemfelves  from  tlie  Lord's  tabic. 
Such  was  not  the  pradlice  of  Chriflians  in  the  apof- 

tolic  times.    The  cck  bration  of  the  fuppcr  was  then 
F 


(    46    ) 

a  part  of  the  Hated  worfliip  of  the  Lord's  da\' ;  and 
ill  this,  as  well  as  in  other  parts,  all  profelfors  joinecL 
They  continued  ftedfaft  in  fellow  Ihip  with  the  apof- 
tles,  as  well  by  breaking  bread,  as  by  prayer  and 
do6lrine.  The  difeiples  at  Troas,  we  are  told,  came 
together,  on  the  fiift  day  of  die  week,  not  only  to  hear 
Paul  preach,  but  alfo  to  break  bread. 

I  URGE  none  to  come  blindly,  or  againfl  his  con- 
fcience,  to  die  holy  table.  Every  one  mufl  judge  for 
himfelf,  and  be  perfiiadtd  in  his  own  mind.  One 
man  cannot  fee  with  anodicr's  eyes,  nor  act  on  anoth- 
er's faith.  But  then,  it  is  a  plain  fad,  Chriil  calls  all 
to  be  his  difeiples,  and  comn\ands  all  his  difeiples 
to  fhew  forth  his  death  by  an  attendance  on  his  flip- 
per. And  therefore,  inch  as  are  hindered  by  fern* 
pics  concerning  their  fitnefs,  muft  not  make  them- 
il'lves  eafy  with  them,  but  take  pains  for  the  removal 
of  them.  They  muft  leek  light,  that,  if  diey  are  in  an 
error,  they  may  redify  it  ;  and  if  they  are  under  fin, 
they  may  repent  of  it.  They  muft  humbly  apply  to 
God  for  his  grace  to  lead  them  into  truth,  and  to  puri- 
fy their  Ibuls ;  and  whatever  doubts  they  have  about 
a  particular  ordinance,  they  muft  diligently  r.ttencl  on 
111!  thofe  means  which  they  tiiiink  themfelves  warrant- 
ed to  ufe.  *  The  meek,  God  will  guide  hi  judgment ; 
the  meek  he  will  teach  his  way.' 

3.  We  are  called  to  brotherly  love,  peace  and 
unity. 

The  gofpel  urges  love  as  the  bond  of  perfednefs, 
as  a  virtue  of  the  firft  importance.  Paul,  in  his  epif- 
d^s  to  tlie  churciics,  never  for^'csto  recommend  to 
tVem,  that  they  be  joined  together  in  the  (lime  mind- 
that  they  fpeak  the  fame  thinc:s--that  they  have  d^.e 
fnr.c  love— that  there  be  no  di^•iiion.s  among  them — 


(    47    ) 

tliat  they  avoid  fuch  as  ciiufc  divifions  and  offences* 
To  ihcu-  how  cilliitial  unity  is  to  the  being  of  a 
church,  he  compnn  s  it  to  a  houlehold,  \Nhich  lubllfls 
by  love,  and  in  which  all  die  niembcrs  have  one  inter- 
eft,  and  arc-  guided  by  one  head — To  a  building,  all 
the  parti)  of  which  are  framed  and  compacted  togeth- 
er— To  a  natural  body,  all  w  hole  limbs  are  animated 
by  the  fame  vital  p'  niclple,  and  feel  fe>r  each  other. 

Bro THE RLv  lov-.  k.  .  !i  cxtcnfive  grace.  It  is  not 
confined  to  thofe  of  our  o\\n  fociety  ;  but  reaches  to 
all  Chridians,  and  Chriftiaii  f' '  ties  in  every  place. 
The  apoltle  ^v'lhes  grace  and  peare  to  all,  who,  in 
csery  place,  crll  on  the  name  of  Jefus.  We  are  to 
confukr  all  as  our  brediren,  who  appear  to  hold  die 
elVentials  of  tlie  Chriflian  fai^' ,  and  to  maintain  a  prac- 
tice agreeable  to  it  ;  and  to  all  fuch  brotherly  love 
muft  extend.  If  our  lo\e  reaches  no  flirther  than  to 
thofc  of  our  own  feel,  or  thofc  who  ufually  worfliip 
with  Ub,  it  is  only  a  party  fpirit;  it  has  nothing  of  the 
nature  of  Chrijlian  love. 

-A  "  ...^N'ST  fuch  a  contracled  idea  of  love,  the  apof- 
tle,  i  >  o'lr  context,  carefully  guards  us.  '  It  has  been 
declared  to  me,'  fays  he,  '  that  there  are  contentions 
among  you.  Exery  one  of  you  faith,  I  am  of  Paul, 
and  I  of  Apollos,  and  I  of  Cephas,  and  I  of  Clirifl.' 
They  were  puffed  up  for  one  teacher  againft  anodier. 
One  admired  diis  preacher ;  anodier  that ;  and  anotK- 
eradiird  ;  and,  by  their  party  attachments,  raifed 
troublefome  difputes  and  dangerous  contentions  iri 
the  church.  But,  fays  he,  '  Is  Chrift  di\ided  ?' 
AVere  ye  not  all  baptized  in  his  name  ?  Have  ye  not 
all  profefled  his  religion  ?  Why  then  run  3*e  into  par- 
ties, as  if  Chrill  was  divided  ?  Was  Paul  CRicified  for 
you  I  Why  fay  ye, '  wc  arc  of  Paul:'  Do  ye  expc(Jl 


(    48    ) 

falvation  through  him  ?  He  was  not  crucified  for  you. 
He  only  preaches  Chrift  crucified  ;  and  Peter  and 
ApoUos  do  the  fame.  '  Or  were  ye  baptized  in  the 
name  of  Paul :'  Do  ye  imagine  that  baptifm  was  dc- 
figned  to  form  you  into  dillinel  fe6ls  ?  or  that  every 
one  ought  to  follow  the  minifter  who  baptized  him, 
in  oppofition  to  others  ?  And  do  ye  think,  that  ye 
ought  to  love  and  efteem,  as  brethren,  thofe  only 
who  are  baptized  by  the  fame  apollle,  or  jn  the  fame 
place  and  manner  as  ye  were,  as  if  ye  were  baptized 
into  the  name  of  the  man,  who  baptized  you  ?  No, 
ye  were  baptized  in  the  name  of  Chrift,  and  are  be- 
come members  of  his  body,  and,  therefore,  3^  are  the 
brethren  of  all  Chriilians,  by  whomfoever  baptized  ; 
for  ye  are  all  baptized  into  one  body. 

You  fee,  that  baptifm,  a  Chriftianprofeffion,  and  a 
relation  to  a  particular  church,  are  not  defigned  to 
unite  one  company  of  Chriftians  here,  and  another 
there,  in  oppofition  to  each  other ;  but  rather  to  unite 
the  whole  Chriliian  Vv^orld.  This  then,  and  this  only, 
is  true  Chriftian  love,  which  extends  its  good  wiflies 
to  the  whole  houfehold  of  faith ;  regards,  as  Chrift's 
difciples,  all  who,  in  every  place,  call  on  his  name  ; 
and  purfues,  not  merely  its  r>wn  private  ends,  but  the 
general  mterelt  of  Cariri's  kingdom,  and  the  common 
Welfare  of  his  fubjccls. 

True  Chriftian  love  to  thofe  of  our  own  fociety 
cannot  ftop  fliort  of  a  general  love  of  hints.  The 
love  of  the  brethren,  as  fac'i,  is  a  love  of  their  holy 
and  virtuous  charafter  ;  and  if,  on  this  account,  we 
love  our  n.mxft  brethren,  forth^  fime  reafonwe  lliall 
love  all,  who  txiiibitthe  f.u  t-  character.  The  good 
Chriftian  defircs  the  prevalence  of  religion  exery 
where  ;  he  would  rejoice  that  all  men  were  virtuous 


I    49    3 

and  happy.  He  will  not,  tlicrcforc,  piirfuc  the  relig- 
ions intcrcft  of  his  own  community,  family  or  pcrfon, 
in  ways  prejudicial  to  the  general  intcrcfl  of  religion. 
He  will  not  confult  merely  his  ou  n  edification,  or  that 
f)f  thofe  with  whom  he  is  immediately  connccled  ; 
but  will  fcek  the  profit  of  many,  that  they  maybe 
fa^'ed. 

This  love  of  the  brethren  leads  to  a  more  general 
love  of  the  human  race.  Chriftians  are  required  *  to 
add  to  their  brotherly  kindnefs  charity  ;'  'to  increafe 
and  aboimd  in  their  love  one  toward  another,  and 
to^^•ardall  men.' 

One  who  loves  the  brethren,  becaufe  they  have  the 
temper  and  obey  the  laws  of  Chrifl,  muft  be  fuppofed 
liimfelf  to  have  the  fame  temipcr,  and  to  obey  the  fame 
laws.  Chrift  exemplified,  and  has  enjoined  a  univer- 
fal  philanthropy.  He  did  good  to  enemies,  as  well 
as  friends  ;  he  prayed  for  his  crucifiers,  as  well  as 
for  his  difciples  :  and  he  has  enjoined  on  us  the  fame 
cxtenfive  benevolence. 

Whatever  pretenfions  we  make  to  Chriftian  fel- 
lowfliip,  if  ©ur  love  is  confined  to  any  particular  com- 
munity, or  even  to  Chriflian  profefTors,  and  docs  not, 
in  fuitable  expreflions of  meeknefs,  goodnefs  and  mod- 
eration, extend  itfelf  to  others;  it  is  not  that  love  of 
the  brethren  which  Chrift  enjoins  ;  for  where  isbroth- 
erly  kindnefs,  there  will  be  charity.  The  brotherly 
love,  which  Chrifl  has  taught,  uill  make  us  meek 
and  gentle  toward  all  men.  It  will  tame  and  foftcn 
the  pafllons,  correcl  and  fweeten  the  temper,  and  dif- 
pofe  us  to  Jhe^v  kindnefs  to  all  men,  \vhether  they  be 
Chriilians  or  heathens,  good  men  or  f  nners. 

Ct 


(    50    ) 

4.  As  members  of  the  church  of  God,  we  are  call- 
ed to  an  exemplary  holinefs. 

Christ  gave  himfelf  for  \he  church,  that  he  might 
fan^lify  it,  and  finally  prefent  it  glorious.  We  are 
called  to  be  laints  ;  feparated  from  the  world,  that 
we  maybe  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works ; 
placed  under  gofpel  light,  that  we  may  be  the  chil- 
dren of  God  without  rebuke,  in  the  midit  of  a  crooked 
and  perverfe  nation,  fliining  among  them  as  lights  in 
the  world.  The  honor  of  religion,  and  our  own  pro- 
feflion,  oblige  us  to  walk  circumfpe6lly  amcJng  men. 
Thofe,  whom  the  apoftles  admitted  to  their  fellow- 
ihip,  were  exhorted  to  keep  themielves  from  an  un- 
toward generation*  The  loofe  and  unguarded  con- 
verfation  of  Chriftian  profeiTors,  gives  occafion  to 
others  tofpeak  reproachfully  of  rehgion  itfelf.  They 
are,  therefore,  to  walk  in  wifdom  toward  them  \\ho 
are  without ;  to  pro\ide  things  honeft  in  the  light  of 
all  men,  that  the  enemies  of  truth  may  be  put  to 
filence,  having  no  evil  thing  to  fay  of  them. 

5.  Let  us  cxercife  a  mutual  watchfulnefs  in  our 
Chriftian  relation. 

We  are  called  into  this  relation,  that  we  may  by 
iove  ferve  one  another,  and  be  fellow  workers  to  the 
kingdom  of  God.  Let  us  be  ready  to  receive,  as 
"well  as  to  give,  counfel  and  reproof,  as  there  is  occa- 
fion ;  and  in  this  imperfccl  ftate  occalions  will  be 
frequent.  Much  allowance  is  indeed  to  be  made  for 
human  wcakncfs,  for  mifapprehenfion,  and  for  wrong 
report.  We  expc6\:  fiich  allowance  from  our  breth- 
ren, and  they  arc  intitled  to  it  from  us.  Too  great 
forwardacfs  to  remark,  and  too  hafty  a  zeal  to  reprove 
every  trivial  fault,  and  every  unguarded  aflion  in  our 


(    51     ) 

brethren,  ^vill  tend  rather  to  vex,  than  reform  them  * 
rather  to  hurt  our  influence,  than  to  mend  their  teni. 
pers.  Reproof  is  a  dcUcate  matter.  It  is  not  to  Ix: 
omitted,  \n  hen  occafion  calls  for  it ;  but  it  iliould  be 
given  with  tendernefs  and  prudence,  that  it  may  be 
received  with  mceknefs  and  gratitude. 

6.  Our  fubjcc^  reminds  us  of  the  duty  ^^hich  we 
owe  to  our  youth. 

If  the  children  of  profefling  Chriflians  are  within 
Gixl's  vifibk  church,  they  are  entitled  to  our  particu- 
lar notice  and  regard.  Though  it  fhould  be  conced- 
ed, that  baptifm  denominates  them  members  of  the 
catholic  church  only,  and  they  become  not  members 
of  any  local  church,  till,  by  their  own  a6l,  they  join 
themfelves  to  it,  yet  there  is  a  duty  which  that  church 
peculiarly  owes  to  them,  in  which  they  were  public- 
ly given  up  to  God,  of  u'hich  their  pai'ents  are  mem- 
bers, and  under  the  immediate  infpeclion  of  which 
they  live  and  a6l.  If  they  are  members  of  the  church 
at  large,  thofe  Chriftians,  among  whom  providence 
places  them,  and  who  are  witneffes  of  their  conduct, 
are  efpecially  bound  to  watch  over  them. 

We  ought  then  to  admonifh  and  reprove  them, 
whenever  we  fee  them  behave  in  a  manner  unfuita- 
ble  to  the  relation,  which  they  bear  to  Chrifl ;  to  re- 
buke their  levity,  impiety  and  profanenefs,  that  we 
may  reftrain  them  from  making  themfelves  vile  ;  to 
put  them  in  remembrance  of  the  facred  obligations, 
which  they  are  under  ;  and  call  their  attention  to  that 
folemn  day,  when  every  work  will  be  brought  into 
judgment. 

While  they  are  under  the  immediate  government 
of  parents  or  others,  it  becomes  us,  in  the  moll  tender 
and  friendly  manner  to  give  thofe,  who  have. t;hc 


(    52    ) 

care  of  them,  information  of  their  mifbehaviour,  when 
it  is  grofs  and  repeated,  and  appears  to  proceed  from 
a  perverfe  difpofition.  If  Chriftians  would  thus  affift 
each  other  in  the  government  of  their  families,  at  the 
ilime  time  exhibiting  an  example  worthy  of  their 
charader,  much  fervice  might  be  done  to  the  rifmg 
generation,  and  to  the  general  intercft  of  religion. 

When  youth  have  arrived  to  competent  age,  it 
would  be  proper  that  the  church,  as  a  body,  flioukl 
deal  with  them  for  open  immoralities,  obftinately 
perfifted  in  againft  more  private  admonitions  ;  unlefs 
they  difavow  their  relation  to  the  church,  and  her  au- 
thority over  them.  In  this  cafe  fhe  may,  in  a  formal 
manner  cut  them  off  from  among  their  people,  and 
declare  them  no  longer  under  her  care, 
"  7.  OtfR  fubject  defer  yes  the  ferious  attention  of  the 
youth. 

My  children  ;  God,  in  his  good  providence,  has 
ordered  the  place  of  your  birth  and  education,  under 
the  light  of  the  gofpel,  witlijn  his  church,  and  in  Chrif. 
tian  families.  The  mofl  of  you  have  been  folemnly 
dedicated  to  God  in  baptifm,  and  have  received  the 
vifible  feal  of  his  covenant.  See  then,  that  you  walk 
worthy  of  the  privileges  to  which  you  are  born,  and 
of  the  chara6ler  which  you  bear,  as  God's  children, 
fet  apart  to  be  his.  Receive,  with  filial  reverence  and 
obedience,  the  inftru6\ions  and  counfels  of  your  par- 
ents, who  have  bound  themfelves  to  God  for  j'our 
virtuous  behaviour.  Attend  on  the  appointed  means 
of  religious  knowledge,  converfe  with  the  holy  fcrip- 
lures  and  other  inilrut^ive  books,  feriouily  regard  the 
ftated  fervices  of  the  fantluary,  and  endeavour  in  the 
ufe  of  thcfe  advantages,  to  become  wife  tofuivation,  and 


C    53    ) 

to  funii  fli  yourfelvcs  unto  every  good  work .  As  you 
have  been  coniecratecl  to  God,  live  to  him.  Be  ?iot 
confonned  to  this  world,  but  be  transformed  by  the  re- 
Jieiving  of  your  minds.  Let  your  hc^irts  be  impreired 
\\'\i\\  a  ieiife  ot'your  (Inful  and  hclplels  condition ;  look 
to  Jefus  as  the  only  Saviour  of  a  lofl  and  g-uilty  world  : 
go  to  God  in  his  name,  and  humbly  implore  the  re- 
j;ne\ving  and  lanc\ifying  influences  of  his  holy  fpirit. 
Make  an  aiStual  dedication  of  yourielvcs  to  God 
through  Jefus  Chrifl,  deliberately  refolvingon  acourfe 
of  pure  religion,  and  let  all  your  converfation  be  as  be- 
comes the  gofpcl.  Keep  up  a  dailj^  corrcfpondence 
w  ith  God  in  fecret.  Think  and  fpeak  of  him  with  rev- 
erence, detefting  and  avoiding  every  fpecies  of  profan- 
ity. Ccafe  to  hear  the  inflruQions  which  caufe  to  err 
from  the  words  of  knou  ledge.  Entertain  no  licen- 
tious  opinions,  fuch  as  would  encoiu'age  vice  or  pac- 
ify the  confcicnce  under  guilt.  Say  to  evil  doers,  de- 
part from  us,  for  we  will  keep  the  commandments  of 
our  God.  Flee  youthful  lulls,  and  follow  after  right- 
eoufnefs,  faith,  charity,  peace,  \vith  them  who  call  on 
the  Lord  out  of  a  pure  heart.  And  reft  not  till  you 
have  actually  taken  the  covenant  bonds  on  your- 
felves,  by  a  public  profeflion  of  religion,  and  have 
come  up  to  all  gofpel  ordinances.  Do  not  this  raflily 
and  thoughtlefsly,  but  humbly  and  fcrioufly,  in  the  fear 
of  God,  and  in  obedience  to  him.  Think  not  that 
you  have  a  right  to  live  at  large.  You  are  bound  to 
confcfs  Chrill's  name  before  men,  and  to  fubmit  to 
the  government  of  his  church.  It  was  foretold  by 
tlie  prophet,  that,  wlien  God  Ihould  pour  out  his  fpir- 
it on  the  offspring  of  his  people,  one  would  fay,  1  am 
the  Lord's,  and  another  would  fubferibe  with  his 
hand  to  the  Lord.    Thus  the  cimrch  would  iiicreafc 


(    54    ) 

by  the  acceflioii  of  the  young  ;  her  fons  would  come 
from  far,  and  her  daughters  be  nurfed  at  her  fide. 
You  cannot  be  faid  to  have  fulfiiled  the  obligations 
of  your  baptifni,  fo  long  as  you  hve  in  a  carelefs  neg- 
lect of  any  of  the  ordinances  of  Chrift.  There  is 
•reafon  to  believe,  that,  in  the  inilitution  of  die  fupper, 
■Chrift  had  a  primary  regard  to  the  young,  who  were 
always  theobjc6ls  of  his  particular  attention.  This  ^ 
ordinance  was  inllitutcd  immediately  after  the  cele- 
bration of  the  paifover,  which  was  a  figure  of  the  fuf- 
fering  Saviour.  In  allufion  to  that  feftival,  Chrift  is 
called  our  pafTover,  f;crificed  for  us.  And  in  al- 
lufion to  the  manner jn  which  the  paiTover  was,  eaten, 
we  are  required  to  keep  the  feast  cf  the  holy  fupper, 
not  n.mth  the  leaden  of  malice  a?id-ivicked?iess,  but  witb 
the  iinJeaDened  bread  of  sincerity  atid  truth.  Now 
thefpecial  reafon  aftigned  for  the  pafTover  was,  that 
lohen  children  in  tiine  to  come  should  inquire^  i\)hat 
mean  ye  hy  this  service  ?  The  parent  might  thence 
take  occafion  to  inftru6l  them  how  the  Lord  salved  his 
people  from  Egypt.  Accordingly  the  youth  were  to 
attend  on  the  pafTover,  in  the  appointed  place,  asfoon 
as  they  were  able  to  bring  an  offering  in  their  hand. 
Now  if  the  fupper  fucceeds  in  the  place  of  the  pafTo- 
ver, was  not  this  one  intention  of  it,  that  the  young,  on 
feeing  thisfervice,  might  be  led  to  inquire,  what  was 
meant  by  it,  and  thus  open  the  way  for  inftruiTiion  in 
the  glorious  redemption  by  Jefus  Chrift.  Come  then, 
my  chikh'en,  attend  a  feftival  appointed  for  you. 
Here  behold  what  your  affl'6lionate  Saviour  has  done 
and  fuffcrcd  for  fuch  loft  and  hclplefs  creatures  as  you. 
Behold,  admire  and  love  ;  fmite  your  breafts  and  re- 
turn with  new  fentiments  of  the  evil  of  your  fins,  and 
new  rcfoUitions  of  future  obedience.     Rcmembiir: 


C    55    ) 

that  all  ordinances,  and  this  in  particular,  were  inlli- 
tuted  as  means  of  promoting  a  holy  life  ;  and  let  ev^ 
cry  one,  iv.bo  iianietit  the  name  of  Christy  depart 
from  iniquity, 

8.  The  invitation  given  to  the  young  fhali  now  be  ^ 
addrefled  to  others.     Come,  join  yourfclves  to  the 
Lord  in  a  perpetual  covenant,  which  fliall  not  be  for- 
gotten. 

The  Son  of  God  has  come  down  from  Heaven, 
tind  has  purchafed  a  church  with  his  own  blood. 
Here  he  offers  that  falvaiion  >vliich  guiliy  mortals 
need.  He  prefcribes  the  tenns  on  which  it  may  be« 
come  yours.  He  has  appointed  ordinances,  in  the 
uie  of  which  you  may  be  made  meet  for  the  enjoy* 
mcnt  of  it  in  Heaven.  He  has  paiticularly  inflituted 
the  ordinance  of  the  fupper,  to  remind  you  of  his  dy. 
ing  love,  and  the  rich  bleflings  purchafed  by  his 
blood.  He  has  required  your  attendance,  to  a^vaken 
your  remembrance  of  him,  warm  your  love  to  him, 
and  fb-engthen  your  fliith  in  him. 

Have  you  any  fenfe  of  your  guilt  and  unworthi-'^ 
nefs,  and  of  his  wonderful  goodnefs  and  love  ?  Any 
defire  to  become  conformed  to  his  image,  attempered 
to  his  gofpcl,  and  entitled  to  his  falvation  ?  Any 
gratitude  to  your  Divine  Benefa6lor  for  all  the  great 
things  which  he  has  done  and  fulFered  for  you  ?  Any 
purpofe  of  heart  to  honor  and  obey  your  glorious  Re- 
deemer and  Lord  ?  Any  concern  to  promote  peace 
and  unity  among  his  difciples,  to  excite  and  encour- 
age them  to  love  and  good  'works,  and  to  advance 
the  general  intereft  of  his  kingdom  ?  Then  come 
and  confffs  liis  name,  declare  your  regard  to  his  relig. 
ion,  fubfcrihe  with  your  own  h.and,  to  him,  attend  on 
the    ordinances  of  his  houfe,    walk  in   fellowfliip 


C    56    ) 

with  his  profefTed  difciples,  join  your  influence  to  pro- 
mote  his  caufe,  and  fliew  by  your  holy  converfLuion, 
that  you  really  believe,  and  heartily  love  the  religion 
which  you  profefs. 

To  conclude,  let  us  all  unite  our  endeavours  to 
make  Chrill's  church  glorious.  Let  us  as  workers 
together  with  Chrill,  and  with  one  another,  contribute 
in  our  refpedlive  places,  and  according  to  our  feveral 
abilities,  to  edify  and  enlarge  it.  Let  us  not  content- 
ourfelves  w'ith  appearii"ig  as  members  of  the  vifible 
church  here  below  i  but  be  cuiiuenied  to  btcome 
real  members  of  the  invifible  church  above,  that 
when  the  time  of  our  departure  is  come,  we  may  go 
to  Mount  Zion,  the  city  of  die  living  God,  die  heav- 
enly Jerufalera,  to  an  innumerable  company  of  an- 
gels, thefpirits  ofjuft  men  made  perfect,  the  general 
aifembly  and  church  of  the  firft  born,  whofe  names 
are  enrolled  in  Heaven. 


THE  END. 


I 


^-^Hf^' 


W' 


» 


